Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease characterized by wide spectrum of musculoskeletal manifestations. The disease affects particularly axial skeleton, adjacent ligaments and tendons. Plain radiography represents the gold standard in the assessment of progression of structural bone changes, calcifications and ossifications. Three different scoring systems evaluating x-ray findings are currently available – the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (BASRI), the Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Score (SASSS), and the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Score (M-SASSS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a key method to evaluate a soft tissue of spine. According to Braun scoring system, different sequences of MRI enable to measure acute and chronic changes. Scoring systems are used to evaluate the effect of the therapy on structural progression of the disease. Different imaging methods, scoring systems, and their contribution to clinical evaluation are also discussed in this review. Moreover, some results evaluating effect of the treatment on structural progression of the disease are mentioned.

        Key words: ankylosing spondylitis, evaluation of radiographic progression, evaluation of MRI progression, biologic treatment