title: Atlantooccipital Overlap and Other Craniocervical Junction Abnormalities in Dogs.
abstract: The term craniocervical junction abnormality (CJA) is an umbrella term for a variety of malformations that occur in the craniocervical region. These abnormalities include Chiari-like malformation, atlantooccipital overlapping, atlantoaxial instability, occipitoatlantoaxial malformations, atlantoaxial dural bands, and dens abnormalities. Syringomyelia can occur secondary to any of these malformations or a combination. Clinical signs in dogs with a CJA typically include neck pain and varying signs associated with a cervical myelopathy. MRI of CJAs with computed tomography imaging is necessary for a full evaluation. Some dogs with CJAs respond to medical management, but for most surgery is the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Canine Chiari Institute, Long Island Veterinary Specialists, 163 South Service Road, Plainview, NY 11803, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Loughin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Canine Chiari Institute, Long Island Veterinary Specialists, 163 South Service Road, Plainview, NY 11803, USA. Electronic address: dmarino@livs.org.
authors.forename: Dominic J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Marino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015897:Comorbidity; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: Atlantooccipital overlapping; Chiari-like malformation; Craniocervical junction abnormalities; Dens angulation; Syringomyelia