Aseptic Spondylodiscitis (Andersson Lesion) Mimicking Vertebral Malignancy: Case Report

Abstract

A well known complication in cases with ankylosing spondylitis is the development of vertebral and discovertebral lesions localized on the spine. In this report, we have presented a 24 year-old case that had undergone an operative procedure four years ago with the pre-diagnosis of malignancy of the vertebrae, but which had later turned out to be non-malignant after histopathological examinations. The case was diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis due to the presence of radiological findings of romanus lesion and spondylodiscitis (Andersson lesion), continuous back pain and morning stiffness. When a vertebral-intervertebral disc lesion is detected in cases with chronic back pain, clinical, radiological and laboratory findings should be evaluated together and aseptic spondylodiscitis due to AS should be kept in mind. Copyright © 2009 by Türk Tibbi Rehabilitasyon Kurumu Derneǧi.