Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2015; 28(01): 73-78
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-14-08-0116
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Congenital cervical kyphosis in two young sighthounds

F. Forterre
1   Division of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
D. Casoni
2   Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
A. Tomek
3   Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
P. Karli
3   Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
J. Howard
4   Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
C. Precht
5   Division of Radiology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received:04 August 2014

Accepted:03 November 2014

Publication Date:
26 December 2017 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

Introduction: Cervical vertebral (C) malformation is rarely reported in large breed dogs. Congenital cervical kyphosis (CCK) may result from defects of vertebral segmentation, failure of formation or both. This report describes two cases of C3-C4 CCK in young sighthounds, treated surgically.

Case description: An 18-month-old female Deerhound and a six-week-old female Borzoi dog were presented because of the complaints of reluctance to exercise and signs of of neck pain. Both dogs were neurologically normal. Diagnostic imaging revealed C3-C4 deformity, moderate kyphosis, and spinal canal stenosis associated with chronic spinal cord pressure atrophy. Both dogs underwent surgical treatment.

Results: A staged two-step surgery starting with dorsal decompression was elected in the Deerhound. After the first surgical procedure, the dog developed focal myelomalacia and phrenic nerve paralysis and was euthanatized. A ventral distraction-fusion technique with two locking plates was performed in the Borzoi. This patient recovered uneventfully and long-term follow-up computed tomography revealed complete spondylodesis.

Clinical significance: Until now, CCK has only been described in sighthounds. Congenital cervical kyphosis might be considered a differential diagnosis in these breeds that are presented with signs of cervical pain. Ventral realignment-fusion and bone grafting may be considered for surgical treatment, although the earliest age at which this procedure can and should be performed remains unclear.

Keywords

Congenital deformity - dog - kyphosis - sight-hound - spinal malformation
 

  • References

  • 1 De Decker S, Da Costa RC, Volk HA. et al. Current insights and controversies in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of disc-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy in dogs. Vet Rec 2012; 171: 531-537.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Lowrie ML, Platt SR, Garosi LS. Extramedullary spinal cysts in dogs. Vet Surg 2014; 43: 650-662.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Spivak JM, Giordano CP. Cervical kyphosis. In Bridwell KH, DeWald RL. editors The Textbook of Spinal Surgery. Vol 1. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott-Raven; 1997: 1027-1038.
    Google Scholar
  • 4 Zhimin HE, Liu Y, Xue F. et al. Surgical management of congenital cervical kyphosis. Orthopedics 2012; 35: e1396-e1401.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Parker AJ, Park RD, Stowater JL. Cervical kyphosis in an Afghan Hound. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1973; 162: 953-955.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Jaggy A, Gaillard C, Lang J. et al. Hereditary cervical spondylopathy (Wobbler Syndrome) in the Borzoi dog. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1988; 4: 453-460.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Schöllhorn B, Sutter E, Stahl C. et al. Osteochondrosis associated deformity of the C2/3 facet joint eliciting vertebral stenosis in a young Borzoi. Wiener Tierärztl Monatsschrift 2012; 99: 13-18.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Hare WCD. Radiographic anatomy of the cervical region of the canine vertebral column. Part II: Developing vertebrae. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1961; 139: 217-220.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Watson AG, Evans ME, de Lahunta A. Ossification of the atlas-axis complex in the dog. Anatomy of Histology and Embryology 1986; 15: 122-138.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Watson AG, Stewart JS. Post-natal ossification centres of the atlas and axis in Miniature Schnauzers. Am J Vet Res 1990; 51: 264-268.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Burbidge HM, Thompson KC, Hodge H. Postnatal development of canine caudal cervical vertebrae. Res Vet Sc 1995; 59: 35-40.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Noden DM, de Lahunta A. Trunk muscles and connective tissue. In: The Embryology of Domestic Animals. Developmental Mechanisms and Malformations. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1985: 140-155.
    Google Scholar
  • 13 Phillips MF, Dormans J, Drummond D. et al. Progressive congenital kyphosis: Report of five cases and review of the literature. Pediatr Neurosurg 1997; 26: 130-143.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Iwasaki M, Yamamoto T, Miyauchi A. et al. Cervical kyphosis: predictive factors for progression of kyphosis and myelopathy. Spine 2002; 27: 1419-1425.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Brockmeyer D, Apfelbaum R, Tippets R. et al. Pediatric cervical spine instrumentation using screw fixation. Pediatr Neurosurg 1995; 22: 147-157.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Bunnell WP. Anterior spinal fusion: experimental evaluation of technique. J Pediatr Orthop 1982; 2: 469-477.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Crostelli M, Mariani M, Mazza O. et al. Cervical fixation in the pediatric patient: our experience. Eur Spine J 2009; 18: 20-28.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Voss K, Steffen F, Montavon PM. Use of the compact Unilock system for ventral stabilization procedures of the cervical spine: a retrospective study. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2006; 19: 21-28.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Bayley JC, Yoo JU, Kruger DM. et al. The role of distraction in improving the space available for the cord in cervical spondylosis. Spine 1995; 20: 771-775.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Lidar Z, Constantini S, Regev GJ. et al. Absorbable anterior cervical plate for corpectomy and fusion in a 2 year old child with neurofibromatosis. J Neurosurg Pediatrics 2012; 9: 442-446.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Ogden JA. Skeletal injury in the child. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger; 1982: 385-395.
    Google Scholar