Abstract
We report a case of malignant rheumatoid arthritis (MRA) that was complicated with intestinal infarctions after on occipito-cervical fusion operation for subluxation of the upper cervical spine. Our conclusions are as follows: First, we did not make the diagnosis of MRA at the time of her first admission mainly because of overlooking symptoms of polyneuritis such as numbness of extremities and muscle weakness. Second, inadequate steroid therapy made the symptoms of MRA worse. Third, this case suggests that the peripheral arteritis type of MRA can progress to the systemic arteritis type. Finally, the possibility of intestinal infarctions should be thought about when we meet a patient of MRA with abdominal symptoms.
