OBJECTIVE--To assess the extent and severity of respiratory insufficiency associated with severe rheumatoid atlantoaxial dislocation and its relation to compression of the neuraxis. METHODS--Twelve patients with severe atlantoaxial dislocation due to rheumatoid disease were studied. Detailed clinical, CT myelography and respiratory assessment including nocturnal oximetry, were performed on all patients. RESULTS--All patients were severely disabled by their underlying disease but none had symptoms of hypoventilation. All the patients with C1 compression had myelopathic features. Those with medullary deformation (moulding and/or stretch) had abnormal noctural oximetry whilst no significant desaturations were seen in the remaining patients. Post-operative studies showed resolution of noctural desaturations. CONCLUSION--This study suggests that clinically unsuspected respiratory insufficiency may be common in patients with severe medullary compression associated with rheumatoid atlantoaxial dislocation. It emphasises the importance of careful respiratory monitoring including nocturnal oxygen saturation in patients with major atlantoxial dislocation due to rheumatoid disease.
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