Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Acute neck spinal cord problems in dogs from disc issues
By Falzone, Cristian·Published in Veterinary Surgery·2017·Diagnostica Piccoli Animali Zugliano VI Italy, Italy·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Canine acute cervical myelopathy: Hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion or intraspinal discal cysts?
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 20 dogs suddenly developed neck problems, showing symptoms of cervical myelopathy, which can include weakness or difficulty walking. They underwent MRI scans that revealed issues in their neck discs, either from a type of disc material or cysts. All dogs received surgery to relieve the pressure on their spinal cords, and thankfully, they all recovered well and were able to walk normally again afterward. The study suggests that the cause of these issues is often related to a specific type of disc material that can be treated effectively with surgery.
People also search for: dog neck pain · cervical myelopathy treatment in dogs · dog surgery for neck problems
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo differentiate between hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion and ventral intraspinal discal cysts in dogs.Study designProspective case series.AnimalsTwenty dogs with acute onset of cervical myelopathy due to hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion or ventral intraspinal discal cysts.MethodsClinical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings, outcome after surgical treatment, cytologic and histologic findings of compressive material were taken into account. Comparisons and considerations were done between findings reported herein and what was previously described as suspected hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion and intraspinal cysts.ResultsAll dogs were presented with acute onset of cervical myelopathy. MR imaging showed compressive cervical myelopathy at C2‐C3 (n = 1), C3‐C4 (n = 6), C4‐C5 (n = 8), and C5‐C6 (n = 5) intervertebral disc spaces, due to extradural material suggestive of either partially hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion or intraspinal discal cyst, with T2 hyperintense and T1 iso‐hypointense signal and variable contrast enhancement after gadolinium injection. All dogs were treated surgically by ventral slot (n = 15) or dorsolateral hemilaminectomy (n = 5). All dogs had a favorable outcome and regained a normal gait. The extradural material collected at surgery varied from liquid to more obvious gelatinous material. Cytologic or histologic examination of the material revealed similar findings for all dogs, compatible with partially degenerated nucleus pulposus.ConclusionsDogs with acute onset of compressive cervical myelopathy due to extradural material resembling human intraspinal cysts on MR images are most likely to have extrusion of partially degenerated nucleus pulposus and should be treated accordingly.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.12631