Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dorsal surgical stabilisation using tension bands for treatment of traumatic atlanto-occipital instability in a cat.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Vedrine, B & Maurin, M P
- Affiliation:
- Clinique Vé · France
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old Persian cat was diagnosed with instability at the atlanto-occipital joint (where the skull meets the spine) after being bitten by a dog. To treat this, veterinarians performed surgery to stabilize the joint using special tension bands. The cat recovered completely just four days after the surgery, and follow-up X-rays taken six weeks later showed that the joint was properly aligned, even though one of the tension bands had failed. Overall, the treatment was successful, and the cat did not show any lasting neurological issues.
Abstract
CASE REPORT: An atlanto-occipital instability secondary to a dog bite was diagnosed in a 4-year-old Persian cat. Dorsal stabilisation of the instability was made with two OrthoFiber prostheses (Securos), which were used as tension bands between the nuchal crests of the occipital bone and the spinous process of the axis. Total recovery was achieved 4 days after surgery. Normal alignment of the atlanto-occipital joint was observed on survey radiographs taken 6 weeks post-surgery. Although the right loop had failed, the alignment was still normal and no neurological after-effects could be identified. CONCLUSION: Dorsal divergent tension bands between the nuchal crests of the occipital bone and the spinous process of the axis can be used to stabilise traumatic atlanto-occipital instability.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29243238/