Spine

We compared clinical outcomes after ventral fixation in dogs with atlantoaxial instability (AAI) on the basis of the presence or absence of atlantooccipital overlapping (AOO).

Of 41 dogs diagnosed with AAI and treated ventral fixation, 12 exhibited AOO (AOO group), whereas 29 did not (non-AOO group).

The AOO group had significantly higher neurological scores before (P=0.024) and 1 month after (P=0.033) surgery compared with the non-AOO group; however, no significant differences were observed between the groups 2 months after surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This case series describes the clinical presentation, management and outcome of three cats diagnosed with cervical intervertebral disc disease that underwent decompressive ventral slot surgery.

METHODS: This is a retrospective case series evaluating client-owned cats undergoing a ventral slot surgical procedure to manage cervical intervertebral disc disease (n = 3).

RESULTS: A routine ventral slot surgery was performed in each case without complication, resulting in postoperative neurological improvement in all three cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the occurrence and frequency of abnormalities at the second and third cervical vertebral junction (C2/3) in dogs with and without atlantoaxial instability (AAI).

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multi-institutional case-controlled case series.

ANIMALS: One hundred and seventeen dogs with AAI and 117 dogs without AAI.

A 7-year-old cat was referred with pelvic limb ataxia. Radiography and CT revealed bone resorption of the L1 vertebral arch, and myelography identified a compressive extradural lesion.

The mass was surgically removed and histopathologically diagnosed as giant cell osteosarcoma. Three years later, the recurrent tumor resection and vertebral fixation were performed. Six months later, vertebrectomy was performed to radically excise the recurrent mass and a titanium spinal cage was placed.