Atlanto-axial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritic patients

ABSTRACT

Atlantolaxial subluxation is still the most eminent and helpful sign of rheumatoid arthritis of cervical spine, specially if correlated with disease activity parameters. Males are more susceptible to atlanto-axial subluxation and could occur early in disease even in asymptomatic cases. Plain x-ray in full flexion and extension and open mouth view provides a simple and reliable investigation for detection of atlanto-axial subluxation and other subaxial subluxation. It should be done early in the disease and it would be of great help to detect serious and unexpected complication in symptomatic and asymptomatic rheumatiod patients