Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Incomplete atlas bone formation linked to neck problems in dogs
By Warren-Smith, Christopher M R et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2009·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Incomplete ossification of the atlas in dogs with cervical signs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Five dogs showed signs of neck pain, weakness, and coordination issues due to a condition called incomplete ossification of the atlas, which affects the first cervical vertebra. Imaging tests revealed bone defects that were likely causing these symptoms, and in one case, there was an unstable fracture. Four of the dogs also had a misalignment of the vertebrae. Three dogs underwent surgery while two were treated with non-surgical methods, and all of them showed improvement in their symptoms.
People also search for: dog neck pain treatment · incomplete ossification atlas dogs · dog cervical spine issues · atlantoaxial subluxation in dogs
Abstract
Osseous defects affecting the atlas were identified in computed tomography and magnetic resonance images of five dogs with cervical signs including pain, ataxia, tetraparesis, or tetraplegia. Osseous defects corresponded to normal positions of sutures between the halves of the neural arch and the intercentrum, and were compatible with incomplete ossification. Alignment between the portions of the atlas appeared relatively normal in four dogs. In these dogs the bone edges were smooth and rounded with a superficial layer of relatively compact cortical bone. Displacement compatible with unstable fracture was evident in one dog. Concurrent atlantoaxial subluxation, with dorsal displacement of the axis relative to the atlas, was evident in four dogs. Three dogs received surgical treatment and two dogs were treated conservatively. All dogs improved clinically. Incomplete ossification of the atlas, which may be associated with atlantoaxial subluxation, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dogs with clinical signs localized to the cranial cervical region.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19999348/