Radiographic abnormalities of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis

Abstract

Abstract Radiographic abnormalities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 8 patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) included atypical features: lack of osteoporosis, bone sclerosis and proliferation about erosions, osteophytosis, and bony ankylosis. Atypical clinical features included a high incidence of flexion contractures of elbows, wrists, ankles, or knees. It is not surprising that bone production occurs about involved articulations in patients with RA·DISH, as the latter disorder is characterized by bony proliferation at sites of ligament and tendon attachment to bone in the axial and extraaxial skeleton, perhaps related to stress.