Cervical spine disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and amyloidosis

Update on imaging of the cervical spine in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a multisystem, autoimmune, inflammatory disorder with numerous musculoskeletal manifestations. Involvement of the cervical spine is common and may result in severe complications due to synovitis, erosions, pannus formation, spinal instability and ankylosis. The purpose of this article is to review the current role of imaging in the rheumatoid spine, with emphasis on radiographs and MRI.

Progression of cervical instabilities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis 5.7 years after their first lower limb arthroplasty

We reviewed 101 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who had undergone their first lower limb arthroplasty between 1990 and 2002. None of the patients had received immunosuppressant or biological drugs. Preoperative and follow-up cervical spine radiographs had been performed (more than 2 years after the arthroplasty). Cervical spine instabilities were found in 62 and 82 patients, and a posterior atlantodental interval (PADI) of <14 mm was present in 20 and 22 patients in the respective radiographs. The presence of cervical spine instabilities and PADI <14 mm were correlated with a higher modified Lansbury index (LI) both preoperatively and at final follow-up. Patients with no cervical spine instability throughout the follow-up had a lower average LI. Patients with atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS), vertical subluxation (VS), and subaxial subluxation (SAS) had more joint arthroplasties at final follow-up compared with other patients. The percentage of patients with single and multiple cervical instabilities increased at final follow-up. The incidence of cervical spine instabilities in RA patients requiring a lower limb arthroplasty is extremely high, with progression of these instabilities after the procedure. There is a correlation between the severity of RA activity in peripheral joints and the severity of cervical spine instabilities.

Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation caused by spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage in a child

INTRODUCTION

Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation is rare in children and usually associated with upper respiratory tract infection or trauma. We present a patient who developed the condition acutely as a consequence of rapidly evolving hemiplegia secondary to intracerebral haemorrhage.

CASE REPORT

A previously well 12-year-old boy suddenly developed left hemiparesis within 30 min. Soon after, he developed painful torticollis. On examination, a dense left hemiplegia was associated with left facial and hypoglossal weakness. On computerised tomography (CT) scan there was an intracerebral haemorrhage in the deep aspect of the right frontal lobe in the corona radiata, with extension in the ventricular system. The plain radiographs of the cervical spine, and CT scan later, confirmed the presence of C1-C2 rotatory subluxation. The haematoma was aspirated stereotactically through a burr hole, and at the same session, the subluxation was reduced by manipulation and traction of the cervical spine. The patient was treated with a hard collar. The torticollis did not recur. The hemiparesis resolved within 6 months. A subsequent magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography scan indicated possible arterio-venous malformation (AVM) at the site of the haemorrhage, which was confirmed with digital subtraction angiography. The AVM was surgically excised 1 year from the original haemorrhage.

DISCUSSION

In the absence of any other predisposing factor, it is postulated that the acute atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation was secondary to the acute loss of muscular tone due to the acute hemiparesis. This explains that the subluxation has not recurred a year after, while the hemiparesis has completely resolved.

Decreased Muscle Strength and Mobility of the Neck in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Atlantoaxial Disorders

OBJECTIVE

To compare neck muscle strength and mobility of the cervical spine in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with and without atlantoaxial (AA) disorders (anterior atlantoaxial subluxation [AAS], AA impaction).

DESIGN

Clinical cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Outpatient rheumatology and rehabilitation clinics in a Finnish hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with RA (N=124; mean age +/- standard deviation, 62+/-12y [corrected]) on a waiting list for orthopedic surgery. Thirty (24%) patients presented with AA disorders (16 with anterior AAS, 8 with AA impaction, 6 with a combination of anterior AAS and AA impaction).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Neck function was measured by isometric neck strength and mobility tests, neck pain by a visual analog scale, erosion of the hands and feet by radiography, and the patients' function by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).

RESULTS

Maximal neck muscle strength against flexion, extension, and rotation was lower in patients with AA disorders compared with the other patients in both women (P=.012) and men (P=.017). Mobility was lowest in the AA impaction group in all measured directions (P<.001). Peripheral erosive disease was more frequent in the group with AA disorders. They also had longer disease duration and were more disabled (HAQ) than the other patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Neck muscle strength is significantly decreased in patients with AA disorders. Mobility of the cervical spine is most limited in patients with AA impaction, but can be normal in cases with solitary anterior AAS.