The cervical spine in patients with psoriatic arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the incidence of clinically important inflammatory cervical spine abnormalities in radiographs of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).


METHODS
Patients were selected from a rheumatological outpatient clinic and one ward of the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland, by examining 160 consecutive PsA cases. A total of 65 patients (38 women, 27 men) with PsA were identified who had cervical spine radiographs available. These were evaluated for inflammatory changes, and patient records studied for disease characteristics, laboratory and clinical findings.


RESULTS
In 12 cases (18%) inflammatory cervical spine changes were seen in the cervical spine radiographs. The most frequently detected was apophysial joint ankylosis, seen in seven patients (11%). Anterior atlantoaxial subluxation (aAAS) was seen in five (8%) and atlantoaxial impaction in three (5%). In 20 of the 40 patients who had the rotational range of neck motion measured the measurement was < or =45 degrees either to the left or the right side.


CONCLUSIONS
Inflammatory cervical spine changes were not commonly seen in radiographs of patients with PsA. Apophysial joint ankylosis and aAAS were detected most often. PsA may decrease the rotational range of neck motion significantly.
Laiho
K
K
Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland. kari@laiho.as
Kauppi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular