Radiological Changes of Cervical Spine Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Abstract
In this study 48 patients with RA were subjected to radiological examination with respect to alterations in their cervical spine. This was done with the examination of their radiograms taken in neutral, hyperextantion and hype'rflexion state laterally, as well as posterioanteriorly in open mouth position. When atlanto-odontoid space exceeded 2.5 mm with RA cases, these were regarded as subluxation. When the normal aligment of the vertabrae shifted 1 mm or more pcsteriorly or anteriorly, these were regarded as subaxial subluxation. In the end. the most frequently observed radiological changes with RA patients were respectively; bony demineralization, atlantoodontoid subluxation, osteophytic narrowing and erosions of the in- ‘tervertebral disc space, subaxial subluxation and fusion, degenerative changes and erosions in apophyseal joints. It was established that bony demineralization seen frequently in patients with RA was related with ages of the patients, and activity of the disease. Atlanto-odontoid subluxation most commonly seen in patients with long-standing disease. While narrowness and erosions with osteophytosis increased in proportion to the ages of the patients
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References
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