Laminectomy for relief of atlantoaxial subluxation in four horses.
Abstract: Malalignment of the atlas and axis was seen in 4 horses with an idiopathic form of atlantoaxial subluxation characterized by spinal cord compression on extension. The bone structure and density of the atlas and axis were radiographically normal in 3 of the 4 horses. Clinical signs appeared when the horses were 6 to 30 months old, and 3 of the 4 horses had a history of trauma. Although a congenital anomaly could not be ruled out, the cause was thought to be trauma. The horses were moderately to severely ataxic at the time of examination. Myelography revealed compression of the spinal cord at the atlantoaxial junction on extension. Flexion completely relieved the compression. In each horse, subtotal laminectomy of the caudal two thirds of the dorsal arch of the atlas was used to relieve the spinal cord compression. Two horses recovered fully, one had residual grade-1 neurologic deficits, and a fourth was euthanatized after it fractured a limb 6 weeks after surgery.
Publication Date: 1988-09-15 PubMed ID: 3192443
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Summary
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This study investigates the use of laminectomy, a surgical procedure, to correct malalignment of the first two neck bones (atlas and axis) in four horses suffering from idiopathic (unknown cause) atlantoaxial subluxation, a condition causing spinal cord compression.
Background
- Research focused on four horses with idiopathic atlantoaxial subluxation. This condition was characterized by a misalignment of the atlas (first neck bone) and axis (second neck bone), leading to spinal cord compression.
- The age of onset was between 6 to 30 months, and three out of the four horses had a previous trauma history.
- Even though a congenital anomaly (birth defects) could not be discarded, the cause of atlantoaxial subluxation in these horses was presumed to be trauma-related.
- At examination time, the horses showed moderate to severe ataxia, a symptom characterized by a lack of voluntary muscle coordination.
Diagnostic Procedures
- The symptomatology and the radiographic examination did not indicate abnormal bone structure or density in three of the four horses.
- The diagnosis was confirmed through myelography, a specific kind of radiographic examination that uses a contrast medium to detect pathology of the spinal cord. This test revealed a compression of the spinal cord at the junction of the first two neck bones. Intriguingly, spinal cord compression was relieved when the neck was bent.
Treatment Outcomes
- The chosen treatment for these horses was a subtotal laminectomy of the caudal two-thirds of the dorsal arch of the atlas. This surgical procedure involves removing part of the vertebral bone to relieve spinal cord compression.
- The procedure proved effective for three out of four horses. Two of them recovered fully, and one had residual grade-1 neurologic deficits. The fourth horse had to be euthanized after fracturing a limb six weeks after the surgery.
Conclusion
- The study shows that laminectomy can be an option for treating idiopathic atlantoaxial subluxation in horses. However, further research is needed to validate this outcome and improve the procedure’s overall success rate.
Cite This Article
APA
Nixon AJ, Stashak TS.
(1988).
Laminectomy for relief of atlantoaxial subluxation in four horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 193(6), 677-682.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Atlanto-Axial Joint / diagnostic imaging
- Atlanto-Axial Joint / surgery
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Joint Dislocations / diagnostic imaging
- Joint Dislocations / surgery
- Joint Dislocations / veterinary
- Laminectomy / veterinary
- Male
- Myelography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Hülsmeyer VI, Flatz K, Putschbach K, Bechter MR, Weiler S, Fischer A, Feist M. Traumatic odontoid process synchondrosis fracture with atlantoaxial instability in a calf: clinical presentation and imaging findings. Ir Vet J 2015;68(1):6.
- Vos Nj. Conservative treatment of a comminuted cervical fracture in a racehorse. Ir Vet J 2008 Apr 1;61(4):244-7.
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