Three cases of unilateral atloido-axis arthropathy are described in women aged 39 to 69 years. The initial diagnosis of arthritis made in view of the severity of the clinical (severe pain and stiffness) and radiological (marked chondrolysis, subchondral erosions), manifestations was contested in the absence of any laboratory abnormality of an inflammatory nature, as well as any bacterial, inflammatory rheumatic or metabolic cause. The final diagnosis made at the time of hospitalisation after 8 to 9 month progression of the disease was osteoarthritis, no subject to any doubt on the basis of the subsequent course. C2-C3 block present in 2 cases was a local factor of joint wear-and-tear. Other severe manifestations of osteoarthritis were seen in 2 patients. By analogy with certain forms of destructive osteoarthritis of the fingers, the term erosive osteoarthritis of the atloido-axis joint is suggested to describe this joint lesion.
Adult Aged