Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with neck joint cyst causing weakness treated by surgery
By Aikawa, T et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2014·Takeshi Aikawa, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ganglion cyst arising from the composite occipito-atlanto-axial joint cavity in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old female Domestic Longhaired cat was brought to the vet because she couldn't jump and was having trouble walking for two months. After imaging tests, the vet found a cyst pressing on her spinal cord near the neck. The vet performed surgery to remove part of the cyst, which successfully relieved her symptoms. Remarkably, she has been doing well for over five years since the treatment.
People also search for: cat can't jump · cat walking problems · cat neck surgery recovery · ganglion cyst in cats · cat spinal cord issues
Abstract
A four-year-old, female spayed Domestic Longhaired cat was referred for evaluation with a two month history of initial inability to jump progressing to ambulatory tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrated a cystic lesion arising from the composite occipito-atlanto-axial joint cavity and extending to the region of the occipital bone and the axis. The lesion surrounded the spinal canal, causing moderate dorsal spinal cord compression at the atlanto-occipital joint. A dynamic myelographic study demonstrated attenuation of the dorsal contrast column at the atlanto-occipital joint when the cervical spine was positioned in extension. Partial excision of the cyst capsule by a ventral approach resulted in long-term (64 months) resolution of clinical signs. Histological evaluation was consistent with a ganglion cyst. An intra-spinal ganglion cyst arising from the composite occipito-atlanto-axial joint cavity may be considered as an uncommon differential diagnosis for cats with cervical myelopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24992658/