Double spinal cord injury in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis patients are more prone to spinal fractures and thes e fractures commonly result in mobile nonunion. We report a patient with a 30-year history of ankylosing spondylitis who sustained double spinal cord injuries following minor trauma. The first injury occurred at the lumbar le vel due to pseudoarthrosis of an old fracture, and the second at the thorac ic level following cardiopulmonary arrest and an episode of hypotension. Th e possible mechanisms of the injuries are discussed and maintaining normal blood pressure in these patients is emphasized.