Determination of cutoff values on computed tomography and magnetic resonance images for the diagnosis of atlantoaxial instability in small-breed dogs.

Objective: To determine cutoff values for the diagnosis of atlantoaxial instability (AAI) based on cross-sectional imaging in small-breed dogs.

Study Design: Retrospective multicenter study.

Sample Population: Client-owned dogs (n = 123) and 28 cadavers.

Craniovertebral Junction Anomalies in Small Breed Dogs with Atlantoaxial Instability: A Multicentre Case-Control Study.

Objective:  The main purpose of this study was to define criteria to systemically describe craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies and to report the prevalence of CVJ anomalies in small breed dogs with and without atlantoaxial instability (AAI).

Materials And Methods:  Retrospective multicentre matched case-control study evaluating magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic images of small breed dogs with and without AAI for the presence of CVJ anomalies.

Results:  One hundred and twenty-two dogs were enrolled (61 with and 61 without AAI).

In Vitro Biomechanical Comparison of Four Different Ventral Surgical Procedures on the Canine Fourth-Fifth Cervical Vertebral Motion Unit.

Introduction:  Biomechanical properties of four different ventral surgical procedures at the canine fourth-fifth cervical (C4-C5) vertebral motion unit (VMU) were assessed and compared with the intact C4-C5 VMU.

Materials And Methods:  The third-sixth cervical vertebral column from 24 skeletally mature Beagle cadavers were randomly allocated to four groups (standard ventral slot, slanted slot, inverted cone slot and intervertebral disc fenestration). Standardized tests were performed for each specimen in flexion/extension, lateral bending and axial rotation.