Mańczak M, et al. - One hundred and six rheumatoid arthritis (RA, a chronic systemic inflammatory disease affecting 1–2% of the world’s population) subjects were recruited in a retrospective study and magnetic resonance imaging examinations were conducted with 1.5T scanner by the researchers in order to assess the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) as a potential parameter of spinal cord damage in cervical spine instability at the atlanto-axial level in RA subjects. The ADC values were evaluated in 2 groups (with and without anterior atlanto-axial subluxation {AAS} diagnosed on plain radiographs). The ADC values at C1 level (ADC₁) was greater in the group with anterior AAS than in the group without AAS. Statistically notable moderate positive association between ADC₁ and anterior atlanto-axial diameter interval anterior atlantodental interval as well as statistically important weak negative relationship between ADC₁ and posterior atlanto-axial diameter interval posterior atlantodental interval were discovered. Hence, the applicability of the ADC maps was exhibited in this study in the recognition of spinal cord compression due to anterior AAS in RA patients. Moreover, the results promoted the practical use of the ADC as an additional parameter in the qualification for surgical treatment.