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Resolution of life‐threatening dysphagia caused by caudal occipital malformation syndrome following foramen magnum decompressive surgery
Author(s) -
Graham KJ,
Black AP,
Brain PH
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2012.00952.x
Subject(s) - foramen magnum , medicine , dysphagia , surgery , chiari malformation , occipital bone , neurosurgery , syringomyelia , radiology , magnetic resonance imaging , skull
A C avalier K ing C harles S paniel was presented with acute onset, life‐threatening dysphagia suspected to be secondary to medulla oblongata compression caused by caudal occipital malformation syndrome. The patient required urgent tracheostomy tube placement to remain stable and was subsequently cured of the presenting neurological deficits by foramen magnum decompressive surgery. Neurogenic dysphagia is a relatively common presenting sign in human C hiari malformation syndromes, but has not been described as a major clinical sign in veterinary patients. Caudal occipital malformation syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis list for susceptible breeds presenting with dysphagia. Early recognition favours expeditious surgical intervention and a positive outcome in human patients, and this may also be the case in veterinary patients.