Abstract
Objectives Ventral atlantoaxial stabilization techniques are challenging surgical procedures
in dogs. Available surgical guidelines are based upon subjective anatomical landmarks,
and limited radiographic and computed tomographic data. The aims of this study were
(1) to provide detailed anatomical descriptions of atlantoaxial optimal safe implantation
corridors to generate objective recommendations for optimal implant placements and
(2) to compare anatomical data obtained in non-affected Toy breed dogs, affected Toy
breed dogs suffering from atlantoaxial instability and non-affected Beagle dogs.
Methods Anatomical data were collected from a prospectively recruited population of 27 dogs
using a previously validated method of optimal safe implantation corridor analysis
using computed tomographic images.
Results Optimal implant positions and three-dimensional numerical data were generated successfully
in all cases. Anatomical landmarks could be used to generate objective definitions
of optimal insertion points which were applicable across all three groups. Overall
the geometrical distribution of all implant sites was similar in all three groups
with a few exceptions.
Clinical Significance This study provides extensive anatomical data available to facilitate surgical planning
of implant placement for atlantoaxial stabilization. Our data suggest that non-affected
Toy breed dogs and non-affected Beagle dogs constitute reasonable research models
to study atlantoaxial stabilization constructs.
Keywords
canine - atlantoaxial - atlantoaxial instability - computed tomography - neurosurgery