Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat unable to open jaw fixed by removing part of cheek bone
By Larguier, L & Jamet, N·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2015·Loic Larguier, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: False ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint in a cat. Correction by partial zygomatic arch resection.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A young European Shorthaired cat was unable to eat or open its mouth due to a condition called false ankylosis affecting its jaw joint. A CT scan helped the veterinarian identify the problem, leading to surgery that removed a bone growth near the jaw joint. After the surgery, the cat received physical therapy at home, and follow-up visits showed that it could open its mouth normally without pain. By the end of the year, the owners reported that their cat was doing well and had no issues with jaw movement.
People also search for: cat unable to eat · cat jaw problems · cat surgery for jaw issues · cat mouth opening treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of two-dimensional computer-assisted tomography (CT) with three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction in the diagnosis and planning of surgical treatment of a case of false ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint. CASE REPORT: A young European Shorthaired cat was presented with the complaint of inability to eat and open its jaws. A CT scan with 3D reconstruction allowed visualization of the lesion which was causing extra-articular ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint. Surgery was performed to resect an osseous lesion of the zygomatic arch, thus freeing the temporomandibular joint. Postoperative physical therapy was initiated immediately following surgery, and then carried out by the owner with a one year follow-up. Clinical examination of the cat was performed during regular office visits (at 1 month and 3 months following surgery), which allowed objective assessment of postoperative recuperation. At the end of a year, the owners reported that the cat had maintained sufficient jaw opening without any signs consistent with chronic pain. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography scan with 3D reconstruction allowed planning of the surgical correction of extra-articular ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, and in this case condylectomy was avoided, since temporomandibular joint range-of-motion was maintained.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26383183/