Ankylosing spondylitis (thoracic manifestations)

Thoracic manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis can be varied. For a general discussion of the condition refer to the parent article on ankylosing spondylitis.

It can affect the tracheobronchial tree and the lung parenchyma, and the disease spectrum includes:

• upper lobe fibrocystic changes - fibrobullous disease
  • early involvement may be unilateral or asymmetrical
  • most cases eventually consist of bilateral apical fibrobullous lesions
  • most can be progressive with coalescence of the nodules
  • formation of cysts and cavities, fibrosis, and bronchiectasis can occur
• lung nodules (uncommon)
• pleural thickening (uncommon)
• effects of chest wall restriction