title: Zygomatic arch-atlas wing stabilization in 5 dogs with atlanto-occipital dislocation.
abstract: The aim of this work was to present a novel minimally invasive surgical stabilization technique for canine atlanto-occipital dislocation and to report the associated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. All 5 dogs in this case series underwent 1.5 T MRI of the head and neck and 3 underwent both MRI and computed tomography (CT). Atlanto-occipital dislocations were diagnosed based on the increased joint space between the occipital condyles and the atlas on MRI. Surgery was performed immediately with a never previously described fixation technique based on an external ligature. The stabilization was performed via 4 holes drilled in the zygomatic processes and in the atlas wings on each side. A nylon monofilament of 1 mm diameter was inserted in the 4 holes, and an O-shaped ligature was carried out externally to the skin through the ipsilateral zygomatic arch. Ligatures were removed within 2 months. At the postsurgical follow-up examination, 14 days after surgery, all dogs were found to be ambulatory. Atlanto-occipital stability was assessed by clinical examination with an average of 24 months of follow-up. The positive outcomes in this case series suggest that atlanto-occipital dislocation may be surgically treated with this novel technique, irrespective of the severity of the clinical presentation and associated lesions observed on MRI.
authors.affiliation: La Cittadina Fondazione Studi e Ricerche Veterinarie, Romanengo, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dolera
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malfassi
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carrara
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corbetta
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Finesso
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marcarini
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pavesi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sala
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary; D015050:Zygoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*