Forestier's sygdom

Synonymer

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), Forestier's disease, ankylosing hyperostosis

Beskrivelse

Non-inflammatorisk spondyloarthropathi. It is characterized by spiny ankylosis and ossification of spinal ligaments and entheses. Involvement is variable, but can involve the entire spine. The disc spaces and facet joints remain unaffected. Classically, advanced disease may have "melted candle wax" appearance along the spine on radiographic studies.

The calcification and ossification is most common on the right side of the spine. In people with dextrocardia and situs inversus this calcification occurs on the left side, which confirms the role of the descending thoracic aorta in preventing the physical manifestations of DISH on one side of the spine.