Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Long-term results of neck surgery in giant breed dogs with spinal
By Lewis, Melissa et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2013·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Long-term effect of cervical distraction and stabilization on neurological status and imaging findings in giant breed dogs with cervical stenotic myelopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of giant breed dogs with neck problems caused by cervical stenotic myelopathy (narrowing of the spinal canal) underwent surgery to relieve pressure on their spinal cords. After the surgery, all dogs showed immediate improvement, but three of them experienced a return of symptoms between four months and four years later, especially those with multiple areas of compression. Long-term follow-up showed that four out of seven dogs maintained a positive outcome, and imaging suggested some improvement in bone growth at the surgery site for two dogs. This surgical approach using PMMA plugs was deemed safe and effective, particularly for dogs with a single area of compression.
People also search for: giant breed dog neck problems · cervical stenotic myelopathy surgery · dog spinal surgery recovery
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess long-term clinical and imaging outcomes in giant breed dogs with cervical stenotic myelopathy treated surgically. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 7). METHODS: All dogs had lateral or dorsolateral cord compression at 1 or more sites and were treated with cervical distraction and stabilization using PMMA plugs. Four dogs had follow-up CT or CT/myelography performed at least 6 months postoperatively. Spinal canal stenosis measurements were compared between pre- and postoperative CT images. Long-term clinical neurologic re-evaluation ranged from 4 to 7 years. Outcome was considered positive, satisfactory, or negative. Recurrence was defined as signs of a cervical myelopathy in dogs that initially improved or had stable disease postoperatively. RESULTS: All dogs had immediate postoperative improvement. Recurrence (4 months to 4 years postoperatively) occurred in 3 dogs that had multiple sites of compression. Long-term outcome was positive in 4 of 7 dogs. Postoperative imaging revealed subjective regression of bony proliferation at surgical sites in 2 of 4 dogs that improved clinically but morphometric data showed no change in canal measurements. An adjacent site lesion was confirmed in 1 dog. CONCLUSIONS: Distraction and stabilization with PMMA plugs and bone grafts is a safe surgical option for giant breed dogs with CSM with a single site of lateral or dorsolateral compression. Long-term recurrence was common among dogs with multiple sites of compression. Follow-up of 4 years or more among a larger population is indicated to fully assess implications of surgical intervention and determine recurrence rates.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23889830/