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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2014; 27(04): 319-323
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-13-10-0119
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Ganglion cyst arising from the composite occipito-atlanto-axial joint cavity in a cat

T. Aikawa
1   Aikawa Veterinary Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
2   Veterinary Surgical Service Japan, Tokyo, Japan
,
S. Sadahiro
1   Aikawa Veterinary Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
,
M. Nishimura
1   Aikawa Veterinary Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
,
Y. Miyazaki
1   Aikawa Veterinary Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
,
M. Shibata
1   Aikawa Veterinary Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 05 October 2013

Accepted: 17 May 2014

Publication Date:
20 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

A four-year-old, female spayed Domestic Longhaired cat was referred for evaluation with a two month history of initial inability to jump progressing to ambulatory tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrated a cystic lesion arising from the composite occipito-atlanto-axial joint cavity and extending to the region of the occipital bone and the axis. The lesion surrounded the spinal canal, causing moderate dorsal spinal cord compression at the atlanto-occipital joint. A dynamic myelographic study demonstrated attenuation of the dorsal contrast column at the atlanto-occipital joint when the cervical spine was positioned in extension. Partial excision of the cyst capsule by a ventral approach resulted in long-term (64 months) resolution of clinical signs. Histological evaluation was consistent with a ganglion cyst. An intra-spinal ganglion cyst arising from the composite occipito-atlanto-axial joint cavity may be considered as an uncommon differential diagnosis for cats with cervical myelopathy.

Keywords

Ganglion cyst - synovial cyst - composite occipito-atlanto-axial joint - spine - cat
 

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