3D-printed titanium cervical integrated spacer for C6-C7 fusion in a horse with discospondylitis.
Case Report
3D-printed titanium cervical integrated spacer for C6-C7 fusion in a horse with discospondylitis.
To describe a distraction-stabilization technique using a three dimensional (3D)-printed titanium cervical integrated spacer (CIS) in a horse with a C6-C7 severe discospondylitis./r/nA 4-year-old 540 kg Sächsisch-Thüringisches Schweres Warmblut gelding./r/nSingle case report./r/nA 4-year-old Schweres Warmblut gelding with a 14-month history of gait abnormalities, progressing to grade 3/5 ataxia on the Mayhew scale, was diagnosed via radiography and computed tomography with severe discospondylitis and significant spinal cord compression at C6-C7. A surgical arthrodesis was elected. Under radiographic control, a CIS was placed using a 3D-printed instrument set./r/nAt 16 months, radiographs, confirmed implant stability, maintained vertebral alignment and successful fusion. Gait evaluation showed no overt ataxia and only mild thoracic limb dysmetria./r/n3D-printed CIS appears a promising implant for stabilizing equine caudal vertebrae (C6-C7).
