Open AccessThe impact of steroids, methotrexate, and biologics on clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing fusions at the craniovertebral junction
Author(s) -
Raman Khanna,
Brian J. Dlouhy,
Zachary A. Smith,
Sandi Lam,
Tyler R. Koski,
Nader S. Dahdaleh
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of craniovertebral junction and spine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 0976-9285
pISSN - 0974-8237
DOI - 10.4103/0974-8237.156044
Subject(s) - medicine , prednisone , rheumatoid arthritis , methotrexate , retrospective cohort study , surgery , radiography , dose
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that affects the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). Patients may suffer from atlantoaxial instability (AAI) and basilar invagination (BI) with variable presentations ranging from pain to quadriparesis. Managing these patients is often challenging due to their chronic use of steroids, methotrexate, and biologics; which impedes bone and wound healing. We report our experience with the surgical management of these patients undergoing fusions at the CVJ.