Rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine.
Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the cervical spine, resulting in clinical and radiographic findings. For most patients with rheumatoid arthritis the cervical involvement represents a relatively benign process, but, in a small percentage of these patients, a progressive instability pattern develops that may compromise neural or vascular structures. The rate of neural compromise because of cervical instability ranges from 11% to 58%. The clinical manifestation may be radiculopathy, myelopathy, quadriplegia, and, in extreme instances, sudden death.
Rawlins
B A
BA
Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
Girardi
F P
FP
Boachie-Adjei
O
O
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck; D011859:Radiography; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery