Definition. Syndesmophytes: osseous excrescences or bony outgrowths from the spinal ligaments as they attach to adjacent vertebral bodies. In psoriasis and in Reiter’s syndrome, they often are massive and bridge adjacent vertebrae asymmetrically.

What is the difference between osteophytes and Syndesmophytes?

Syndesmophytes indicate spine degeneration, similar to osteophytes of spine; however, they bridge across the joint as compared to osteophytes which are non-bridging.

What are marginal Syndesmophytes?

The syndesmophytes arise either at the margins of intervertebral disc and these are called marginal syndesmophytes as in ankylosing spondylitis, or from the vertebral bodies beyond their corners and are called nonmarginal syndesmophytes as in psoriatic arthritis and Reiter’s syndrome (1,2).