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Radiologic review: the rheumatoid cervical spine.
Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism
|February 1, 1985
Summary
This review covers cervical spine lesions in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), emphasizing clinicoradiographic correlations and diagnostic techniques. Conventional radiology is useful, but advanced imaging like myelography and CT are crucial for surgical planning.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently affects the cervical spine.
- Cervical spine involvement in RA can lead to significant morbidity.
- Accurate diagnosis and monitoring are essential for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the spectrum of cervical spine lesions in adult RA patients.
- To correlate clinical findings with radiographic changes.
- To outline appropriate diagnostic imaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cervical spine RA.
- Analysis of clinicoradiographic correlations.
- Discussion of conventional and advanced imaging modalities.
Main Results:
- Conventional radiology is often sufficient for initial assessment.
- Myelography and angiography are recommended prior to cervical spine surgery.
- CT scans are valuable for complex cases or pre-surgical evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding cervical spine lesion multiplicity in RA is key.
- A combination of imaging techniques ensures comprehensive evaluation.
- Further research into standardized grading systems for radiographic changes is warranted.