Dawes developed the Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (SASSS) to evaluate spine radiographs in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The author is from the Haywood Hospital at Stoke-on-Trent, England.
Radiographs: Lateral views taken of lower spine from T12 to S1
Points examined (24):
(1) T12: lower border, anterior and posterior corners (2)
(2) L1: upper and lower border, anterior and posterior corners (4)
(3) L2: upper and lower border, anterior and posterior corners (4)
(4) L3: upper and lower border, anterior and posterior corners (4)
(5) L4: upper and lower border, anterior and posterior corners (4)
(6) L5: upper and lower border, anterior and posterior corners (4)
(7) S1: upper border, anterior and posterior corners (2)
|
Finding
|
Points
|
|
normal
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0
|
|
erosion, sclerosis, squaring
|
1
|
|
syndesmophyte
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2
|
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bony bridge
|
3
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where:
• Both ends of the bony bridge are scored 3 points. If one corner is scored 3 points, then the corresponding corner above below also must be scored 3 points.
• Syndesmophyte = bony outgrowth along a ligament
total score =
= SUM(points for all 24 corners)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 72
• The higher the score the more severe the spinal involvement.
