spondylitis

Inflammation of one or more of the vertebrae. [spondyl- + G. -itis, inflammation]

- ankylosing s. arthritis of the spine, resembling rheumatoid arthritis, that may progress to bony ankylosis with lipping of vertebral margins; the disease is more common in the male, often with the rheumatoid factor absent and the HLA antigen present. There is a striking association with the B27 tissue type and the strong familial aggregation suggest an important genetic factor, perhaps inherited as an autosomal dominant [MIM*106300]; the mechanism, however, remains obscure. SYN: Marie-Strümpell disease, rheumatoid s., Strümpell-Marie disease.

- s. deformans arthritis and osteitis deformans involving the spinal column; marked by nodular deposits at the edges of the intervertebral disks with ossification of the ligaments and bony ankylosis of the intervertebral articulations, it results in a rounded kyphosis with rigidity. SYN: Bechterew disease, poker back, Strümpell disease (1).

- rheumatoid s. SYN: ankylosing s..

- tuberculous s. tuberculous infection of the spine associated with a sharp angulation of the spine at the point of disease. SYN: Pott disease.

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spon·dy·li·tis .spän-də-'līt-əs n inflammation of the vertebrae <tuberculous \spondylitis> see ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

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n.

inflammation of the synovial joints of the backbone. Ankylosing spondylitis is a sero-negative arthritis; 90% of cases carry the tissue-type antigen HLA B27 (see HLA system). Ankylosing spondylitis predominantly affects young males and the inflammation affects the joint capsules and their attached ligaments and tendons, principally the intervertebral joints and sacroiliac joints (see sacroiliitis). The resultant pain and stiffness are treated by analgesics and regular daily exercises. The disorder can lead to severe deformities of the spine (see kyphosis, ankylosis).

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spon·dy·li·tis (spon″də-liґtis) inflammation of the vertebrae; called also rachitis. spondylitic adj