What initial destructive effect on the bone characterizes the nascent stage of a Romanus lesion?
Answer
Erosion
The sequence initiating a Romanus lesion begins with active enthesitis, which triggers a localized destructive response in the adjacent bone. This initial effect manifests as erosion, which translates radiologically into small defects or indentations observed in the subchondral bone plate. These defects are specifically located right at the anterior edge of the vertebral body, immediately next to the intervertebral disc space, marking the earliest visible manifestation of the lesion before the reparative processes dominate the imaging appearance.

Related Questions
What specific inflammatory process drives the bony changes resulting in a Romanus lesion?What initial destructive effect on the bone characterizes the nascent stage of a Romanus lesion?What established lesion results from the maturation and extensive repair of an initial Romanus lesion?In which spinal regions are Romanus lesions most frequently identified radiologically?What early finding detectable by MRI reflects the ongoing inflammation in an active Romanus lesion?A key feature distinguishing a Romanus lesion is its dual nature showing both damage and what reparative sign?How does the primary destruction pattern in typical vertebral osteomyelitis contrast with that of a Romanus lesion?The enthesitis causing Romanus lesions specifically targets the insertion point of which structure onto the vertebral body?Identifying a Romanus lesion signals the initiation of the pathological process leading toward what advanced AS spinal feature?On radiographic images, what feature is often what ultimately makes an established Romanus lesion definitively identifiable?