Syndesmophytes on MRI can be difficult to see in their early stages and much better visualised on MRI when they are larger. Quick review of the appearance on CT and MRI.

Image above: Syndesmophytes ( Blue Arrows) on CT and Xray. First image very early syndesmophyte formation. The last image demonstrates a bamboo spine which indicates ossification of the entire margin of the annulus.

Image Above: Syndesmophyte seen on CT and MRI ( Blue arrow) but early syndesmophyte not seen on MRI ( yellow arrows).

Image above: More established syndesmophytes with marrow signal seen well on MRI.