Spontaneous atlantoaxial dislocation. A complication of rheumatoid disease.

Abstract

A Serious and often unrecognized complication of rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis is that of spontaneous atlantoaxial dislocation. Two such cases have come under our care during the past year. The lesion in both patients went unrecognized for many months. We believe that a report of these cases may stress the need for an awareness of this condition by physicians treating arthritic patients. A description of our cases and a review of the pertinent literature comprise the subject matter of this report. Case Reports Case 1. A 26-year-old man was first admitted to the Neurosurgical Service of the Syracuse Veterans . . .