1:2000 incidence in Caucasians; rare in non-Caucasians

M:F 10:1; more severe in males

18-50% incidence in Native Americans

Difficult airway and atlantoaxial instability

“Bamboo spine” with potential for fracture during airway manipulation

Rigid chest with difficult ventilation

Myocarditis and myocardial conduction defects

Increased blood loss due to abnormal chest structure or mechanics

Difficult airway and atlantoaxial instability

“Bamboo spine” with potential for fracture during airway manipulation

Rigid chest with difficult ventilation

Myocarditis and myocardial conduction defects

Increased blood loss due to abnormal chest structure or mechanics

Inability to intubate, spine fracture, arrhythmia, inability to ventilate, and massive blood loss

Airway edema after extubation

An arthritic process, seronegative for rheumatoid factor, which attacks ligamentous attachments of the spinal column

Characterized by low-back pain, sacroiliitis, multiplane rigidity of the spine, chest stiffness, uveitis, and insidious onset at <40 y of age

Autosomal dominant and strongly prevalent among first-degree relatives

Etiology unknown

Genetic transmission led to discovery of a genetic marker, HLA-B27. Also involved are the major histocompatibility complex, numerous HLA-B27 subtypes, IL23R (also associated with ulcerative colitis), and ERAP-1.

Infectious origin speculated; one species of klebsiella is reported to be associated with some cases.

Symptomatic, with exercise and NSAIDs; Immunosuppression can be tried in severe cases.

Wedge osteotomy is a drastic surgical intervention.

Infliximab: monoclonal antibody specific for TNF.

Etanercept: Anti-TNF protein.

Adalimumab: Monoclonal antibody specific for TNF.