Rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the cervical spine, resulting in clinical and radiographic findings. For most patients with rheumatoid arthritis the cervical involvement represents a relatively benign process, but, in a small percentage of these patients, a progressive instability pattern develops that may compromise neural or vascular structures. The rate of neural compromise because of cervical instability ranges from 11% to 58%. The clinical manifestation may be radiculopathy, myelopathy, quadriplegia, and, in extreme instances, sudden death.