Rheumatoid cervical myelopathy: evaluation by computerized tomography with multiplanar reconstruction.

Rheumatoid cervical myelopathy was studied in 14 patients, clinically, radiographically and by computerized tomography with multiplanar reconstruction (CT/MPR). CT/MPR demonstrated significant unsuspected areas of compromise in 9 of the 14 patients, and altered the surgical procedure in 7 of these 9 patients. CT/MPR clearly identifies all levels of involvement including rotary subluxation. CT/MPR also allows assessment of the spinal nerve canal/foramen and the alignment of the foramina transversaria. CT/MPR is an essential addition to the evaluation of rheumatoid cervical myelopathy.