Spontaneous fracture of atlas of cervical spine affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

A case of spontaneous fracture of the atlas in a 67-year-old woman who had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for more than 20 years is described. This fracture is unique and can present diagnostic problems. Lying in the coronar plane makes the atlas difficult to visualize radiographically. Computer-guided tomography is a helpful diagnostic technique. The brittleness of the cervical spine in long-term rheumatoid patients should also be kept in mind when performing endotracheal intubation.