Bouchaud-Chabot and Liote summarized indications for performing surgery on a patient with rheumatoid arthritis involving the cervical spine. The authors are from Hopital Lariboisiere in Paris
Indications in a symptomatic patient - at least one of the following:
(1) spinal cord compression, especially when there is progressive neurological compromise
(2) severe intractable pain unresponsive to standard analgesics
Probable indications to prevent neurological complications:
(1) patient with cervical spine involvement who requires multiple episodes of general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation
(2) cranial settling
(3) major radiological dislocation (with displacement of >= 9 mm)
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