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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffTo determine whether you have diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, your doctor may begin with a physical examination. He or she will press lightly on your spine and joints to feel for abnormalities. Any pain you experience from the pressure on your spine may be a clue to the diagnosis. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis may cause pain at the point where the affected tendon or ligament attaches to a bone. Your doctor may be able to detect bone spurs.
Your doctor also will order imaging tests to help with the diagnosis. Tests that may be used include:
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X-rays. Your doctor will order X-rays to confirm a diagnosis of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.
X-rays may show calcification along the bones that make up your spine (vertebrae). The calcification has a distinct appearance that doctors sometimes refer to as cascading or flowing. Some compare the appearance to that of candle wax dripping and oozing down your spine.
- Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests can rule out conditions that may cause similar signs and symptoms, such as ankylosing spondylitis.
- Esdaile JM. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Alparslan L, et al. Imaging modalities in rheumatic disease. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/194678336-3/982047756/1807/375.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10053-1--s1130_1650. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Srikulmontree T, et al. Chronic neck pain. American Family Physician. 2009;79:595.
- Bearcroft PPW, et al. Joint disease. In: Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/194678336-4/982052379/1611/54.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-10163-2..50053-1--cesec9_2701. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 18, 2010.
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