Spine Fractures in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis : Three Cases Report

ABSTRACT

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease. Pathologic changes occurred in patients with AS result in a weakened vertebral column with increased susceptibility to fractures, even though a trivial injury. Fractures usually tends to involve the lower cervical spine, but rarely, they are also occurred in thoracolumbar spine. We present our experiences of three cases of spinal fracture in patients with AS, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, with a review of literatures.