Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound used during neck surgery for two dogs with Wobbler syndrome
By Nanai, Beatrix et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2006·Animal Emergency and Referral Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Intraoperative use of ultrasonography during continuous dorsal laminectomy in two dogs with caudal cervical vertebral instability and malformation ("Wobbler syndrome").
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Doberman and a 6-year-old Labrador were both brought in for severe neck pain and weakness in their legs, a condition known as Wobbler syndrome. During surgery to relieve pressure on their spinal cords, veterinarians used ultrasound to guide the procedure and confirm that the spinal cord was properly decompressed. After the surgery, both dogs showed significant improvement over the following months, with the Doberman recovering well after 16 months and the Labrador after 20 months. This technique helped ensure that the surgery was effective in treating their spinal issues.
People also search for: dog Wobbler syndrome treatment · dog neck pain ultrasound · dog spinal surgery recovery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe an intraoperative ultrasound imaging technique during dorsal laminectomy in 2 dogs with caudal cervical vertebral instability and malformation (CCVIM, "Wobbler syndrome"). STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. SAMPLE POPULATION: Two dogs with CCVIM. RESULTS: On neurologic examination there was tetraparesis with upper motor neuron signs in the thoracic limbs and lower motor neuron signs in the pelvic limbs in dog 1, and hyperreflexia of the rear limbs, normoreflexia of the right front limb, and hyporeflexia of the left front limb of dog 2. Both dogs had signs of marked cervical pain and radiographic signs of cervical spinal cord compression. Intraoperative ultrasonography of the spinal cord revealed protruding intervertebral disc at C5-6 (dog 1) and C6-7 (dog 2), and the parallel borders of the spinal cord and central canal after decompression. Continuous dorsal laminectomy (CDL) resulted in improvement over 16 months (dog 1) and 20 months (dog 2). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative ultrasonographic imaging of the cervical spinal cord after CDL was helpful in determining adequate decompression (postlaminectomy) of the spinal cord in relation to the ventral and lateral compressive component(s) and to image the protruding intervertebral disc. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intraoperative ultrasonography can be used to provide valuable information on the spinal cord and surrounding soft tissues for the neurosurgeon.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16842292/