Case report: A 25-year-old Turkish patient presented with a "swelling" of the ankles which now persisted for 5 years. He had previously been diagnosed as having HLA-B27 negative spondylarthropathy with peripheral joint involvement. The symptoms failed to respond to different therapies. Serological markers and radiological procedures revealed beta-thalassemia minor.
Discussion: Symptoms, diagnostic procedures and differential diagnostic options are discussed.