Aseptic discitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a retrospective study of 14 cases

Conclusion. - The frequency of aseptic discitis in patients with AS is probably overestimated as a result of inclusion and exclusion biases. Discitis usually occurs at an advanced stage of AS under the form of an erosive condition related to both mechanical factors and osteoporosis. Inaugural or early discitis can occur, however, as a result of the inflammatory process.