Ankylosing Spondylitis, Radiologic PerspectiveMedical Author:
Wilfred CG Peh, MD, MBBS, FRCP(Edin), FRCP(Glasg), FRCR, MHSM
Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Ankylosing Spondylitis OverviewAnkylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that is due to inflammation of multiple joints, characteristically the spinal facet joints and the sacroiliac joints at the base of the spine. While it tends to affect these joints and the soft tissues around the spine, other joints may also be affected as well as tissues around the joints (entheses, where tendons and ligaments attach to bone). This disorder frequently results in bony ankylosis (or fusion). The term ankylosing is derived from the Greek word ankylos, which means stiffening of a joint. Spondylos means vertebra (or spine). Spondylitis refers to inflammation of one or more vertebrae. Ankylosing spondylitis is usually a chronic and progressive form of arthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis may also involve areas of the body other than the joints, such the eyes, heart, and lungs. Ankylosing spondylitis is estimated to affect approximately 0.1-0.2% of the general population. The frequency in the United States is similar to that of the rest of the world. Ankylosing spondylitis primarily affects young males. Males are four to 10 times more likely to have ankylosing spondylitis than females. Most people with the disease develop it at age 15-35 years, with an average age of 26 years at onset. |
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Ankylosing Spondylitis, Radiologic Perspective
Costochondritis Overview
Costochondritis is inflammation of the junctions where the upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to the breastbone or sternum. The condition causes localized chest wall pain and tenderness that you can reproduce by pushing on the involved cartilage in the front of the rib cage. Costochondritis is a relatively harmless condition and usually goes away without treatment. The cause is usually unknown. Costochondritis affects females more often than males (70% versus 30%).
- Costochondritis is a common cause of chest pain in children and adolescents. It accounts for 10%-30% of all chest pain in children. Annually, doctors evaluate about 650,000 cases of chest pain in young people 10-21 years of age. The peak age for the condition is 12-14 years of age.
- Overall, costochondritis is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal chest pain.
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Ankylosing Spondylitis »
Ankylosing spondylitis is a distinct disease entity characterized by inflammation of multiple articular and para-articular structures, frequently resulting in bony ankylosis.
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