Magnetic resonance angiography for vertebral artery evaluation in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the radiological features of vertebral artery (VA) displacement/occlusion associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) spine using magnetic resonance angiography. METHODS: Forty-seven RA patients with upper cervical lesions were evaluated for patency or abnormality of the VA by extracranial magnetic resonance angiography, with comparison of findings with those of 46 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: VA occlusion occurred in 4 patients (8.5%) and VA stenosis in 9 patients (19.1%). Anomaly of the VA was also observed in 3 patients (6.4%). No occlusion or anomaly was found in healthy volunteers, but 1 case of stenosis was found. Severity of vertical subluxation was correlated with the presence of VA abnormality in RA patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of VA abnormality was 34% in RA patients and 2% in healthy volunteers. Magnetic resonance angiography is useful for screening for abnormality of the entire VA.