Postoperative complication of cervical fracture repair in a dog

Fracture and luxation of the second cervical vertebra of a dog were repaired with braided polyester sutures. After 28 months, the dog became ataxic. Compression of the spinal cord at C1-2 was seen on a myelogram. Surgical exploration of the area revealed a granuloma associated with the sutures and compressing the spinal cord. After the granuloma was removed, the dog recovered and has remained neurologically normal for 21 months. The abnormal tissue was determined histologically to be a pyogranuloma.