Evaluation of safe corridors for spinal implants in Cerdocyon thous using computed tomography – cadaveric study
bush dog, neurosurgery, spine
Vertebral fractures and dislocations are among the consequences of vehicular collisions involving wild animals on Brazilian highways, including, among different canid species, the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous). Regarding treatment methods, surgical approaches can be used according to various factors involved, and already have a well-established approach in the surgical practice of domestic dogs, which has a wide range of publications for anatomical-surgical evaluation and planning of the vertebral column. This resource is currently unavailable for wild canid species, thus creating difficulties in surgical planning for these species when necessary. The objective of this study is to acquire computed tomography images of the vertebral column from Cerdocyon thous cadavers from the Animal and Human Anatomy Laboratory of UFFRJ, for analysis and study of safe corridors for the insertion of surgical implants in spinal stabilization techniques in these species. The data will be tabulated and analyzed to generate a reference table for surgical planning in the absence of advanced imaging exams.