Rheumatoid discitis with cord compression at the thoracic level.
A 63-year-old man presented with spinal cord compression caused by rheumatoid discitis at a high thoracic level. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging proved to be very useful in evaluating the extent of the inflammatory process. Early decompression and internal fixation resulted in cure with only some residual functional impairment.
van der Horst-Bruinsma
I E
IE
Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Markusse
H M
HM
Macfarlane
J D
JD
Vielvoye
C J
CJ
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D015299:Discitis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013909:Thorax; D014054:Tomography