Retrospective Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis after Spinal Fractures: A Review of 3 Cases and Clinical Implication

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an underdiagnosed inflammatory condition in the initial stages of disease that can cause vertebral fractures in young adults after trivial trauma. Hence, low-energy spinal fractures in young patients must be carefully evaluated to exclude AS as the treatment protocol (fixation levels, period of immobilization) may change drastically if AS is diagnosed. Here, we present cases of 3 patients who presented at emergency after low-velocity spinal trauma and diagnosed as AS during workup for fracture management. This cases series indicates underdiagnosis of AS in general population as well as importance of strong suspicion of AS in low-energy spinal fractures in the younger age-group.

Keywords

• ankylosing spondylitis
• low-energy spinal trauma
• retrospective diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis after trauma