Tomographic analysis for C2 screw placement in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
OBJECTIVE
A morphological analysis of the bone structure of C2 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in order to enhance the security of the stabilization procedures for this vertebra.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 20 CT scans of the cervical spine performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; the following parameters were measured: spinolaminar angle, thickness and length of C2 lamina.


RESULTS
THE MEAN VALUES ARE: 5.92mm and 5.87mm for thickness of right and left laminae retrospectively, 27.75mm for right lamina length and 27.94mm for left lamina length, and 44.7º for spinolaminar angle.


CONCLUSIONS
The values obtained are consistent with studies in normal subjects published by other groups, with no apparent need for change in the screw placement technique. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Rodrigo Schroll
RS
Astolfi
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Wilson Tadao
WT
Tachibana
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Olavo Biraghi
OB
Letaif
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Alexandre Fogaça
AF
Cristante
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Reginaldo Perilo
RP
Oliveira
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Tarcísio Eloy Pessoa
TE
de Barros Filho
Anatomy; Arthritis, rheumatoid/radiography; Arthritis, rheumatoid/surgery; Axis