C1-2 arthrography.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the technique of C1-2 arthrography and recommend it as a suitable treatment for pain due to C1-2 abnormalities.


METHODS
One hundred patients with the following conditions were studied: cervical pain or neuralgia without radiographic changes (group 1, n = 23), osteoarthritis (group 2, n = 37), rheumatoid arthritis (group 3, n = 23), ankylosing spondylarthritis (group 4, n = 5) and diverse conditions (group 5, n = 12). The technique consists of lateral puncture of the posterior aspect of the C1-2 joint with a 20-gauge needle under fluoroscopic control, arthrography using 1 ml contrast medium, and a 1-ml long-acting steroid injection subsequently.


RESULTS
The articular cavity has an anterior and a posterior recess. Sometimes the posterior recess is large. In 18% of cases the contralateral joint also opacifies.


CONCLUSIONS
C1-2 arthrography appears to be an efficient and safe technique for the treatment of upper cervical pain due to C1-2 articular disorders.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods*; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D005938:Glucocorticoids