Abstract
Summary The radiographic appearance of the pubic symphysis was studied in 158 normal subjects of varying age and in 67 and 22 cases of RA and ankylosing spondylitis, respectively. The pubic symphysis undergoes significant anatomical changes during post-adolescent life. In old age changes typical of osteoarthritic deformation are seen. Small local erosions are significantly more frequent in RA patients than in the normal population. Changes in ankylosing spondylitis tend to be more extensive and easily visible than in RA. Tomographic studies suggest that minor changes typical of RA are often not revealed by ordinary radiography, owing to the peculiar anatomical features of the symphysis.

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