title: Stabilization of the unstable upper cervical spine in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: We present our clinical experience and the results of surgical treatment of 13 patients with rheumatoid involvement of the cervical spine, namely severe atlanto-axial dislocation. A posterior fusion was carried out using a bicortical H-shaped iliac crest bone graft and steel wire. Postoperatively all patients were immobilized for 8 weeks in a Halo cast. There were no postoperative complications and all patients showed a stable fusion confirmed by radiography. Complete pain relief was obtained in 9 patients, partial in 4.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kourtopoulos
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Essen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000293:injuries*; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000637:transplantation; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography