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Wessmann A, McLaughlin A, Hammond G. Traumatic spinal cord injury caused by suspected hyperflexion of the atlantoaxial joint in a 10-year-old cat. JFMS Open Rep. 2015;1(1):2055116915589839doi: 10.1177/2055116915589839.
Wessmann, A., McLaughlin, A., & Hammond, G. (2015). Traumatic spinal cord injury caused by suspected hyperflexion of the atlantoaxial joint in a 10-year-old cat. JFMS open reports, 1(1), 2055116915589839. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055116915589839
Wessmann, Annette, et al. "Traumatic spinal cord injury caused by suspected hyperflexion of the atlantoaxial joint in a 10-year-old cat." JFMS open reports vol. 1,1 (2015): 2055116915589839. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/2055116915589839
Wessmann A, McLaughlin A, Hammond G. Traumatic spinal cord injury caused by suspected hyperflexion of the atlantoaxial joint in a 10-year-old cat. JFMS Open Rep. 2015 Jun 12;1(1):2055116915589839. doi: 10.1177/2055116915589839. eCollection 2015. PMID: 28491364; PMCID: PMC5362863.
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JFMS Open Rep. 2015 Jun 12;1(1):2055116915589839. doi: 10.1177/2055116915589839. eCollection 2015.

Traumatic spinal cord injury caused by suspected hyperflexion of the atlantoaxial joint in a 10-year-old cat.

JFMS open reports

Annette Wessmann, Angela McLaughlin, Gawain Hammond

Affiliations

  1. Neurology Service, Pride Veterinary Centre, Derby, UK.
  2. Division of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

PMID: 28491364 PMCID: PMC5362863 DOI: 10.1177/2055116915589839

Abstract

CASE SUMMARY: A 10-year-old cat presented 5 days after a traumatic event with acute recumbency followed by some clinical improvement. The neuroanatomical localisation was the C1-C5 spinal cord segments. Initial survey radiographs, including lateral flexed views, showed no convincing abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a marked focal intramedullary lesion at the level of the dens and suspected oedema extending over C2-C3 vertebrae, suggesting early syrinx formation. The cat made an initial excellent recovery on restricted exercise without medical treatment. The MRI changes largely resolved on follow-up MRI 4 weeks later yet recurred following a relapse 4 months later. At this stage, a post-traumatic syrinx had developed. Moreover, the suspected atlantoaxial instability was finally diagnosed on radiography with fully flexed lateral views. A hyperflexion injury causing tearing of the atlantoaxial ligaments was considered most likely given the lack of malformations or fractures. The cat made a full recovery on conservative management.

RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This is the first report of sequential MRI findings in a cat with atlantoaxial instability. Moreover, post-traumatic syringomyelia formation following atlantoaxial injury has not been reported. Sequential MRI aids in the diagnosis of hyperflexion injury if survey radiographs fail to identify atlantoaxial instability.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors do not have any potential conflicts of interest to declare.

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