Radiological changes in the cervical spine in ankylosing spondylitis.

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Abstract
In 73 patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis of varying duration (average 16 years), films of the cervical spine were studied for osteophytes, narrowed disk spaces, anterior spondylitis, syndesmophytes (F1, F2, F3, bridges of van Swaay), intervertebral (apophyseal) joint changes, and atlanto-axial subluxation. Narrowing and ankylosis of the intervertebral joints alone were encountered only rarely in the series. These changes are the 1st signs of ankylosing spondylitis in the cervical region. Bridges of van Swaay and marked intervertebral joint changes are specific for ankylosing spondylitis, being seen in 30% of the cases. Syndesmophytes type F3 and anterior spondylitis in the reparative phase are thought to be specific for ankylosing spondylitis in about 10% of cases. Syndesmophytes type Fl and F2, atlanto-axial subluxation, osteophytes, and narrowing of the disk spaces do not appear to be specific for ankylosing spondylitis.