[Cervical discitis, spondylitis and spondylodiscitis in chronic polyarthritis]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Orthopedics
• Spinal Medicine

Background:

• Inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis commonly impacts the cervical spine.
• Cervical spine involvement is a significant complication of rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the vertebral body involvements in the cervical spine due to rheumatoid arthritis.
• To detail the pathological changes occurring in the cervical spine secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.

Main Methods:

• Review of pathological changes in the cervical spine associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Description of sequential degenerative processes affecting intervertebral disks and vertebral bodies.

Main Results:

• Progressive destruction and narrowing of intervertebral disks are observed.
• Spondylitis and spondylodiscitis lead to vertebral subluxation.
• Fusion of vertebral bodies and development of square anterior corners are characteristic findings.

Conclusions:

• Rheumatoid arthritis causes distinct patterns of cervical spine involvement.
• These changes include disk degeneration, vertebral fusion, and characteristic bony deformities.