Thoracic myelopathy due to intraspinal rheumatoid nodules

Scand J Rheumatol. 1997;26(3):227-8. doi: 10.3109/03009749709065688.

Abstract

A fifty-six-year-old woman with classical rheumatoid arthritis had subacute onset of paraparesis due to thoracic epidural rheumatoid nodules. Although plain radiograms and computed tomograms of the thoracic spine were negative except for old compression fractures, magnetic resonance imaging revealed thoracic spinal cord compression due to masses at multiple levels. There was a steady recovery after excision surgery.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Muscular Diseases / etiology*
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Rheumatoid Nodule / complications*
  • Rheumatoid Nodule / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology*
  • Spinal Diseases / complications*
  • Spinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Thoracic Vertebrae* / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed