A four-month-old West Highland White Terrier was presented to the Small Animal Teaching
Hospital at the University of Liverpool with the complaint of a bilateral angular
carpal deformity. A 20° valgus deformity was present in both thoracic limbs, centred
on the distal radial physes. Both distal ulnas were grossly thickened and there was
concomitant thickening of the rostral mandible and calvarium. The dog exhibited signs
of resentment on palpation of the mandible and signs of pain were elicited on flexion
and extension of both elbow joints. No signs of pain were evident on palpation of
the ulnas or calvarium. Radiographic images of both ulnas showed marked amorphous
periosteal new bone formation. The distal ulnar physes were closed centrally and both
elbow joints had humeroulnar subluxation. Radiographic changes to the calvarium and
mandibular rami were consistent with a diagnosis of craniomandibular osteopathy. A
bilateral ulna ostectomy was performed to correct the angular limb deformity and elbow
subluxations. Histology of the ostectomised pieces showed changes consistent with
craniomandibular osteopathy.
Keywords
Craniomandibular osteopathy - angular limb deformity - growth deformities
