Atlantoaxial instability revisited. An alert for endoscopists.
Atlantoaxial instability in rheumatoid arthritis patients presents a particular hazard for endoscopists. The basic pathology, while well known to orthopedists, is not common knowledge among bronchoesophagologists or anesthesiologists. The paper describes the syndrome, potential complications and possible approaches to avoiding serious neurologic sequellae.
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography