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Bamboo spine

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The term 'bamboo spine' is a radiographic description of the spine following bony ankylosis of the intervertebral joints. Ossification of the discs and the bony bridges between vertebrae creates an appearance similar to a bamboo pole.

The bony bridges are called syndesmophytes.

There is usually squaring of the vertebral bodies.

Causes include:

  • ankylosing spondylitis
  • Reiter's syndrome

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