A 25 year old male presents with shortness of breath and back pain. CXR reveals bilateral upper zone reticular opacification with volume loss and upward hilar displacement. Thoracic spine x-ray shows a kyphosis and flowing syndesmophytes throughout the majority of the thoracic spine.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Tuberculosis | |
Ankylosing spondylitis | |
Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis | |
Previous radiation therapy | |
Biapical pneumonia and haematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis |
Ankylosing spondylitis is a multisystem autoimmiune condition which usually presents in young men. The condition manifests with respiratory (upper zone fibrosis, reticulonodular opacities, bullae and cavitation), musculoskeletal (sacroilitis, bamboo spine, bony erosion (spine) and enthesitis) and cardiac (aortic valve insufficiency and aortitis) complications to name a few.