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Discitis—a rare early symptom of ankylosing spondylitis

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Abstract

This case report describes a patient who suffered from backache at the age of 12 years. The initial diagnosis was Scheuermann's disease but repeated examinations showed a progressive discitis, without sings of arthritis of the sacro-iliac joints. There was also a recurring effusion of the left knee. Three years later the clinical and radiological evaluation showed irreversible immobilisation of the dorsolumbar spine, whereas the sacro-iliac joints were mildly affected. Discitis seems to be a rare early symptom of ankylosing spondylitis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Kiel, D-2300, Kiel, Federal Republic of Germany

    G. Mau

  2. Department of Orthopedics, University of Kiel, D-2300, Kiel, Federal Republic of Germany

    B. Helbig & M. Mann

Authors
  1. G. Mau
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  2. B. Helbig
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  3. M. Mann
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Mau, G., Helbig, B. & Mann, M. Discitis—a rare early symptom of ankylosing spondylitis. Eur J Pediatr 137, 85–88 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441176

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441176

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