[Fatal complex fracture of the cervical spine in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis after a fall from a racing bicycle].

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are endangered suffering from cervical spine fractures following falls caused by kyphosis, stiffness and osteoporotic bone quality of the spine. Risk sustaining neurological deficits is higher than average. We present a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, who was admitted to our hospital with a complex fracture pattern of the cervical spine after a fall from a racing cycle. In spite of early operative treatment the patient died in the follow up because of severe hypoxic brain damage. We discuss the area of conflict between the recommendation for sport activities in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and the resulting risks for the diseased spine.