Tan S, et al. - In this cross-sectional study, experts aspired to explore whether syndesmophytes in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) occurred less often at the vertebral rim near the aorta. For this investigation, thoracolumbar CT scans were performed in 60 subjects. In addition, the mid-thoracic spine was scanned in 22 subjects. According to findings, syndesmophytes occurred less frequently at the thoracolumbar vertebral rim near the aorta and were smaller. These findings suggest that the development of syndesmophytes in AS is influenced by mechanical factors extrinsic to the spine and not just by vertebral inflammation.