Article révisé par les pairs
| Résumé : | This paper emphasizes the role of rheumatoid changes in the cervical spine in producing cephalgia (headache). The problem oriented method of diagnosis and treatment is emphasized. An outline for establishing the data base is presented. This is followed by a discussion of the segmental distribution of the cervical nerve roots and the relationship of the pathologic changes of various types or rheumatoid and degenerative changes in the cervical spine and the mechanism by which they produce cranial nerve root irritation or compression of the vertebral arteries with attending circulatory insufficiency of varying degree. In therapy the use of antalgic and anti inflammatory drugs with physiotherapy is emphasized. Traction in selected cases is recommended. Surgical therapy is not discussed. The paper is especially important from the standpoint of diagnosis and the pathophysiology of the rheumatoid processes (inflammatory and degenerative) involved in the production of headache of cervical origin. |
