Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT scan signs of discospondylitis in dogs
By Gomes, Sergio A et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2022·Dovecote Veterinary Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Computed tomography features of discospondylitis in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 41 dogs diagnosed with discospondylitis (a spinal infection) underwent CT scans to better understand the condition. The scans revealed common issues like erosion of the endplates and changes in the vertebrae, which can help veterinarians identify this painful condition more accurately. While CT imaging provided valuable insights, some cases may still need MRI for a clearer diagnosis. Understanding these CT features can assist in diagnosing and treating dogs suffering from discospondylitis effectively.
People also search for: dog discospondylitis symptoms · CT scan for dog spine problems · treatment for dog spinal infection
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) findings of dogs with discospondylitis have not been widely described despite increased availability of this imaging modality. OBJECTIVES: Describe the CT features of discospondylitis in a population of clinically affected dogs with discospondylitis diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ANIMALS: Forty-one dogs (63 affected discs) with MRI-identified discospondylitis presented to a single referral hospital between 2012 and 2022. METHODS: Retrospective, single center, descriptive case series with analysis of MRI-identified discospondylitis sites and concomitant CT imaging. Computed tomographic features of MRI-affected sites including intervertebral disc space (IVDS), endplates, vertebral body, epidural space and paraspinal tissues were described. RESULTS: The most frequently found changes were: (1) endplate involvement (87.3%) most frequently bilateral (94.5%), with erosion (61.9%) and multifocal osteolysis (67.3%); (2) periosteal proliferation adjacent to the IVDS (73%) and spondylosis (66.7%); and (3) vertebral body involvement (66.7%) involving one-third of the vertebra (85.7%) with multifocal osteolysis (73.5%). Other less prevalent features included an abnormal IVDS (narrowed or collapsed), sclerosis of the adjacent vertebral body or endplates, presence of disseminated idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis or vacuum artifact. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We determined that bilateral endplate erosion and periosteal proliferation were very common in dogs with discospondylitis. Careful evaluation of CT in all 3 planes (dorsal, sagittal, transverse) is necessary to identify an affected IVDS. These described CT features can aid in the diagnosis of discospondylitis in dogs but equivocal cases might still require MRI.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36208075/