Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pain and syringomyelia linked to neck bands in Cavalier King Charles
By Cerda-Gonzalez, S et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2015·Cornell University, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dorsal compressive atlantoaxial bands and the craniocervical junction syndrome: association with clinical signs and syringomyelia in mature cavalier King Charles spaniels.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was brought in for signs of neck pain and discomfort, which are common in dogs with Chiari-like malformations. An MRI revealed that the dog had dorsal compressive bands at the atlantoaxial junction, which were linked to the presence of syringomyelia, a serious condition that can cause pain and neurological issues. The findings suggested that these bands could worsen the dog's symptoms. While the exact cause-and-effect relationship is still being studied, the dog may benefit from further monitoring and treatment options to manage its pain and improve its quality of life.
People also search for: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel neck pain · syringomyelia treatment in dogs · Chiari-like malformation symptoms in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dorsal compressive lesions at the atlantoaxial junction (ie, AA bands) occur in dogs with Chiari-like malformations (CMs), but their clinical relevance is unclear. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the influence of AA bands on clinical status and syringomyelia (SM) in mature cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS). ANIMALS: Thirty-six CKCS, 5-12 years of age, including 20 dogs with neuropathic pain. METHODS: Dogs were examined and assigned a neurologic grade. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the craniocervical junction was performed with the craniocervical junction extended and flexed (ie, normal standing position). Imaging studies were assessed for the presence of an AA band, CM, SM or some combination of these findings. Band and SM severity were quantified using an objective compression index and ordinal grading scale, respectively. RESULTS: Of 36 CKCS imaged, 34 had CM. Atlantoaxial bands were associated with the presence (P = .0031) but not the severity (P = .008) of clinical signs, whereas their presence was associated with both the presence and severity of SM (P = .0147, P = .0311, respectively ). Higher compression indices were associated with more severe SM (P = .0137). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of AA bands in older CKCS is high. Positioning of dogs in extension during MRI enhances the sensitivity of the study for detecting this important abnormality. There were significant associations among AA bands, clinical signs, and SM in dogs with CM; additional work is needed to understand whether or not this relationship is causal.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25996662/