PMC8631319_01
Radiographic, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance images of a 2-year-old dog with wobbly gait of the pelvic limbs. (A) Left-right lateral view. There was ventral hypoplasia of T6 and T7 with severe kyphosis. T2-weighted sagittal (B) and transverse (C) magnetic resonance images at the T6-T7 level. The spinal cord was severely compressed by the deformed vertebrae (arrowhead). (D,E) CT images showed sclerotic changes at the vertebral endplates of T6-T7 and the spondylosis deformans at the level of the T6-T7 disc (arrow).
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A radiographical examination revealed severe malformations and malalignment of the vertebrae at T5-T8 (Figure 1A). Tokyo, Japan) of the thoracic spinal cord was performed at the referring hospital. T2-weighted images revealed that the spinal cord was severely compressed by the deformed vertebrae at T6-T7 (Figures 1B,C). T6 and T7 vertebral bodies with kyphosis. The vertebral endplates around T6-T7 appeared sclerotic [mean Hounsfield Units: 1089], and osteophytes were observed in the same area (Figures 1D,E), suggesting spinal instability.
Design of the custom-made titanium implants. (A) The deformed vertebrae were realigned to a suitable anatomical relationship using 3D modeling software. (B-D) The titanium implants consisted of spinal covers (green), fixing rods (cyan), and nuts (blue).
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The deformed vertebrae were realigned to a suitable position (Figure 2A). Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan) with a diameter of 3.0 mm were bent in advance to allow for placement on the spinal covers (Figures 2B-D).
During surgery, tweezers were used to mount the spinal covers to the lamina and the heads of the ribs and enclose the spinous process (A). The rods were bridged between the spinal covers and locked by the nuts (B). Post-operative CT images immediately after surgery showed the degree of kyphosis [(C), left-right lateral view; (D), ventral-dorsal view]. Post-operative CT images at 372 days after surgery showed no bending or breakage of the implants and no collapse of the adjacent intervertebral space. However, slight loosening of the implants was observed and the ventral side of the T7 vertebral body was slightly collapsed. There was bone regeneration around the implants [(E), left-right lateral view; (F), ventral-dorsal view].
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Ltd.) (Figures 3A,B). The degree of kyphosis was improved to 62.7  (Figures 3C,D), assessed by the modified Cobb method, compared to its pre-operative level. On day 441, CT showed no bending or breakage of the implants and hyperostosis was observed around the implants (Figures 3E,F).