title: [Occipitocervical fusion in rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: A case of spontaneous occipitocervical fusion is discussed. The authors believe that fusion at the occipitocervical junction will occasionally occur in rheumatoid arthritis in the adult population. As a result of fusion, the dens axis is unable to exert compression on the spinal cord with increased neck flexion.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Rheumaorthopädie, Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Frankfurt/M.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rittmeister
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Böhme
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richolt
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kerschbaumer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010985:Platybasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed