ISSN:
1432-0932
Keywords:
Key words Rheumatoid arthritis
;
Cervical spine
;
Subluxation
;
Myelopathy
;
Necropsy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Two patients who developed cervical myelopathy secondary to rheumatoid arthritis were analyzed post mortem. One patient had anterior atlanto-axial subluxation (AAS) combined with subaxial subluxation (SS), and the other had vertical subluxation (VS) combined with SS. In the patient with AAS, the posterior aspect of the spinal cord demonstrated severe constriction at the C2 segment, which arose from dynamic osseous compression by the C1 posterior arch. A histological cross-section of the spinal cord at the segment was characterized by distinct necrosis in the posterior white columns and the gray matter. In the patient with VS, the upper cervical cord and medulla oblongata showed angulation over the invaginated odontoid process, whereas no significant pathological changes were observed. At the level of SS, the spinal cord was pinched and compressed between the upper corner of the vertebral body and the lower edge of the lamina. Histologically, demyelination and gliosis were observed in the posterior and lateral white columns.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s005860050126
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