NCT07148167

Comparison of Cervical Extensor Muscle Thickness, Fat Infiltration, and Cervical Alignment in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis With a Healthy Population: a Retrospective Controlled Study

Cervical MRI Findings in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 158 (actual)
• Sponsor: Kayseri City Hospital · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

In the literature, we found only one study evaluating the thickness of the cervical paraspinal muscles (multifidus, semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis capitis, splenius capitis, and trapezius) in patients with AS. This study examined the morphology of all neck extensor muscles (multifidus, semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, splenius capitis, and trapezius muscles) using ultrasound and their relationship to activities of daily living and compared them with a control group. As is well known, the user's experience is crucial in ultrasound. Furthermore, ultrasound cannot accurately assess the deep paravertebral muscles. Therefore, inspired by this study, we decided to use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to evaluate the cervical muscle planes in AS patients in more detailed and objective ways. In this study, in addition to cervical muscle volumes in AS patients, we also aimed to evaluate cervical fat infiltration and cervical alignment, which have not been previously evaluated in AS patients.

Conditions

• Muscle Planes, Muscle Volumes, Fat Infiltration in Cervical MRI

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Magnetic resonance imaging	use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to evaluate the cervical muscle planes in AS patients in more detailed and objective ways. In this study, in addition to cervical muscle volumes in AS patients, we also aimed to evaluate cervical fat infiltration and cervical alignment, which have not been previously evaluated in AS patients.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-01-01
• Primary completion: 2025-11-30
• Completion: 2025-11-30
• First posted: 2025-08-29
• Last updated: 2026-02-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)