Abstract

Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis and other bone-softening diseases such as Paget's disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets, osteomalacia, and hyperparathyroidism have the potential to destabilize the upper cervical spine. In these disease settings, the relation between the occiput, axis, and atlas may be altered and destabilized. This paper reviews the anatomy, clinical presentation, and pathogenesis of the different diseases, as well as their medical and surgical management at the occipitocervical junction.

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