[A case report of rheumatoid arthritis patient with thoracic myelopathy]

The authors report a 39-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis associated with myelopathy at the thoracic level. X-ray films of thoracic spine showed scoliosis which had its apex at T6. Myelography demonstrated incomplete block at the level of T6. Computerized tomogram revealed destruction of left pedicle of the sixth thoracic vertebra and dislocation of the sixth rib into the spinal canal which compressed cord at T6 level. Hemi-laminectomy at T5-T7 level and decompression were performed. Pathological investigations of soft tissue around the cord and dura mater showed infiltration of small round cells. We concluded that the synovitis of costo-transverse joint or costovertebral joint led to the destruction of the pedicle. As a result, dislocation of the rib, scoliotic deformity and thoracic myelopathy occurred.