title: Laminotomy of the axis for surgical access to the cervical spinal cord. A case report.
abstract: A cranially hinged laminotomy of vertebra C2 was used to expose the cervical spinal cord of a dog with a meningioma in the region of the atlantoaxial articulation. By preserving the dorsal atlantoaxial ligament, the technique seemed to result in greater and more physiologic stability between the atlas and axis than dorsal laminectomy and prosthetic replacement of the dorsal atlantoaxial ligament. The procedure allowed a dorsal approach, avoiding injury to the vertebral arteries and limited exposure, which are potential problems with hemilaminectomy of C1-C2. Further investigation is needed to evaluate long-term consequences of this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fingeroth
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Smeak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000601:surgery*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000601:surgery*