Artritis reumatoidea del raquis cervical. Algoritmo de tratamiento / Cervical rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment algoritm

ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe an algorithm for surgical management of cervical spine RA. Methods: RA cases treated by the senior authors from 1978 to 2003 have been analyzed. An algorithm for surgical management of the different forms of this pathology is proposed. Results: Cervical spine involvement by RA includes atlantoaxial subluxation, settling of the odonteid process, and suaxial subluxation. Surgical treatment should be established immediately after is radiological diagnosis. The optimal approach is a posterior one in every case, followed by an anterior approach when periodontal pannus, superior migration of the odontoid process, or subaxial subluxation are associated with an anterior compression. Conclusion: This algorithm is a useful guide to the treatment of spine RA