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Rheumatoid arthritis of cervical spine

Case contributed by Ahmed Abdrabou
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Known patient with rheumatoid arthritis complains of neck pain and headache

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Female

Soft tissue (pannus) displays low signal in all sequences seen eroding the dense and cause atlanto axial subluxation.

Case Discussion

60% of patients with peripheral rheumatoid arthritis develop rheumatoid arthritis of cervical spine. The most commonly affected place is the odontoid process with development of atlantoaxial subluxation. Pannus itself erodes the dens and displays low signal in T1 and T2 with avid enhancement following contrast administration.

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