Ankylosing spondylitis and spinal cord injury.

Ankylosing spondylitis patients are reported to be at greater risk for vertebral fractures and spinal cord injury. We describe the case of a 72-year-old male with a long history of ankylosing spondylitis who sustained a vertebral fracture after minor trauma. The fracture was initially missed on conventional radiographs but was later diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging after the development of new neurological symptoms. With this case report the authors outline the factors that increase the incidence of vertebral fractures and spinal cord injury in ankylosing spondylitis patients and discuss prevention strategies to avoid this devastating complication of the disease.