Brain-stem compression in rheumatoid arthritis.

A woman had cervical C-1 to C-2 subluxation with dysphagia. Initial improvement with halo cast and posterior fusion was followed by recurrence of symptoms, but transpharyngeal resection of the odontoid process had continued to alleviate symptoms at 18-month follow-up examination. The importance of vertical C-1 to C-2 subluxation in rheumatoid cervical arthritis is emphasized.