Ultrasonographic identification of the dorsal atlantoaxial ligament in dogs

de Vicente, F. and Hammond, G. (2017) Ultrasonographic identification of the dorsal atlantoaxial ligament in dogs. Veterinary Surgery, 46(8), pp. 1126-1130. (doi: 10.1111/vsu.12702) (PMID:28858386)

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Abstract

Objective: To determine the ability to identify the dorsal atlantoaxial ligament during ultrasonographic examination of dogs. Study design: Canine cadaveric study. Sample population: Canine cervical spines (n = 35). Methods: Thirty-five canine cadavers with an estimated body weight of 6-35 kg were retrieved. Five cervical spines were dissected to assess the length and thickness of the dorsal atlantoaxial ligament and correlate ultrasound-guided injection of ink with anatomical dissection. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the dorsal atlantoaxial ligament was performed on 30 cadavers. The visibility of the dorsal atlantoaxial ligament in both the transverse and the sagittal planes was subjectively scored (0-3). Results: The dorsal atlantoaxial ligament was detectable on ultrasonographic examination in all cadavers: 27/30 and 28/30 were graded as moderately visible (grade 2) or clearly visible (grade 3) in the sagittal and transverse view, respectively. Only 1/30 cadaver specimen of a large breed dog was graded as 1 (indistinct) in both the sagittal and transverse planes. None of the cadavers were graded as 0 (not visible) in any view. Conclusion: The dorsal atlantoaxial ligament can be identified in ultrasonographic examination of normal canine cadavers. Future studies on animals with clinical atlantoaxial instability/subluxation are needed to evaluate the role of this imaging technique in providing a safer diagnosis of this condition. Clinical relevance: Ultrasonographic examination of the dorsal atlantoaxial ligament could potentially provide a noninvasive and safe imaging technique that may contribute to the diagnosis of atlantoaxial instability/subluxation in dogs.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hammond, Dr Gawain
Authors: de Vicente, F., and Hammond, G.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Veterinary Surgery
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0161-3499
ISSN (Online):1532-950X
Published Online:31 August 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons
First Published:First published in Veterinary Surgery 46(8): 1126-1130
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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