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  Discussion on Research Summary: Fractures of the cervical vertebral odontoid
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DrO

Posted on Monday, Feb 25, 2008 - 8:44 am:

The cervical odontoid is a finger like process off of the front upper edge of the second cervical vertebra. Here is described several cases of fracture that cause symptoms consistent with Wobblers or other fractures of the neck vertebrae. Like other neck fractures this would most commonly accompany a fall or other traumatic accident. However the prognosis for horses with mild to moderate symptoms appears to be fair to good with conservative treatment. This should be a consideration for any acute onset of reluctance to move the head, stiffness, or quadriplegia (incoordination in all four limbs).
DrO


Vet Rec. 2008 Jan 26;162(4):116-9.
Fractures of the cervical vertebral odontoid in four horses and one pony.

Vos NJ, Pollock PJ, Harvey M, Brennan T, de Blaauw S, McAllister H.

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Northern Ireland.

Four horses and one pony, ranging in age from one to 11 years, were diagnosed with two different types of odontoid peg fractures. Their clinical signs included reluctance to move the neck and head, dullness, and abnormalities of gait. Radiography was essential for the diagnosis, and the method of treatment varied depending on the severity of the neurological signs, the intended use of the horse, and financial constraints. Optimal treatment requires a technique that allows decompression, anatomical alignment, and stabilisation of the odontoid fracture. If the clinical (neurological) signs are not too severe and the animal shows signs of feeling peripheral pain, conservative treatment can be applied, as is common practice in human surgery. All except the pony made a full recovery.
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