title: Magnetic resonance imaging of upper cervical disorders in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Upper cervical spine was examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and conventional roentgenograms in 55 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The MRI findings were compared with various values determined in roentgenograms: the atlanto-dental interval (ADI), the space available for the spinal cord (SAC), and the Ranawat and Redlund-Johnell values. In patients with vertical settling (VS), MRI showed medullary compression in all those with abnormal Redlund-Johnell values and Ranawat values of 7 mm or less. In patients with anterior atlanto-axial subluxation, compression of the upper cervical cord was observed in all patients with SAC of 13 mm or less and many of those with ADI of 8 mm or greater. This study indicated that medullary compression can be estimated by these values determined in roentgenograms of the cervical spine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kawaida
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakou
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morizono
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshikuni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D009333:Neck; D010146:Pain; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology