title: Surgical stabilization of an occipitoatlantoaxial malformation in an adult dog.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report surgical planning, technique, and outcome of stabilization surgery in an adult dog with occipitoatlantoaxial malformation (OAAM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical report.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 19-month-old, 25.5 kg, male castrated, Shiba Inu.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging were used to identify and characterize OAAM. Using a ventral approach to the cranial cervical region 2 cortical bone screws were inserted from the axis into the malformed atlas and occiput.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ambulation was conserved postoperatively. Within 4 weeks, neurologic examination was mostly normal except for decreased proprioception in the right pelvic limb. At 9 months, the dog retained an extended neck posture, but had no neurologic abnormalities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OAAM should be considered as a differential diagnosis in an adult dog with cervical myelopathy. Surgical fixation with cortical bone screws using a ventral approach can be successful.
authors.affiliation: Neurology and Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. egalban@vscdel.com
authors.forename: Evelyn M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Galban
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gilley
authors.forename: Sam N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000662:veterinary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009139:Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010291:Paresis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology