title: Intravenous corticosteroid therapy of cervical cord compression in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: We describe a case of atlantoaxial joint subluxation and cervical myelopathy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a large periodontoid pannus compressing the upper cervical cord. Neurological function improved rapidly after treatment with intravenous pulse corticosteroids given before surgical fusion of the cervical spine. Post operative MRI showed a significant reduction in size of the pannus.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Louthrenoo
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Zager
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Freundlich
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Zurier
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones