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

Abstract

Small breed dogs with AAI are more likely to have other CVJ anomalies such as atlantooccipital overlapping or dens anomalies. The grade of brachycephaly does not differ between patients with and without AAI. Certain objective criteria from human literature were found useful for the assessment of both AAI and atlantooccipital overlapping such as McRae's line, Wackenheim's clivus line, and clivus canal angle. The classification criteria used can help to evaluate CVJ anomalies in a more systematic way.