Bone Scan With SPECT/CT Demonstrated C1 to C2 Involvement in Rheumatic Arthritis

Clin Nucl Med. 2022 Jul 1;47(7):661-663. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000004160. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Abstract

An 80-year-old man was treated with rituximab for active rheumatoid arthritis until 2019, now controlled with Salazopyrin, prednisolone, methotrexate, and folic acid. However, laboratory data showed elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Whole-body bone scan showed bony and joint destruction to the upper cervical vertebra (C spine), bilateral shoulders, wrists, finger joints, ankles, and left knee. SPECT/CT localized the upper C spine uptake to the C1/C2 joint and adjacent C1 and C2 with C1/C2 subluxation. C spine CT showed vertical atlantoaxial subluxation and bony erosions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / diagnostic imaging
  • Atlanto-Axial Joint*
  • Cervical Vertebrae
  • Humans
  • Joint Dislocations*
  • Male
  • Osteoarthritis*
  • Rheumatic Fever*
  • Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed