Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MRI findings and nerve problems in dogs with mixed bone and disc neck
By Bonelli, Marília de Albuquerque & da Costa, Ronaldo Casimiro·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2023·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Magnetic resonance imaging and neurologic characterization of combined osseous- and disc-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 60 dogs with cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM), a condition that affects the neck and can cause pain and weakness, were studied using MRI to see how disc and bone issues were affecting their spinal cord. Most of these dogs were large or giant breeds, averaging about 7 years old. It was found that many had both disc bulges and bone growths pressing on the spinal cord, often in the same area. Understanding this combined issue is crucial for veterinarians, as it can influence the best treatment options for these dogs.
People also search for: dog neck pain treatment · cervical spondylomyelopathy in large breeds · dog MRI for spinal issues
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although both disc- or osseous-associated forms of cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) are observed in the same dogs, this combined form has not been thoroughly evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To describe imaging characteristics of dogs with concurrent disc- and osseous CSM and investigate an association between findings on neurological examination and imaging. ANIMALS: Sixty dogs with disc and osseous-associated CSM from 232 CSM-affected dogs. METHODS: Retrospective study. Dogs diagnosed via high-field MRI with a combination of intervertebral disc (IVD) protrusion and osseous proliferation of articular processes, dorsal lamina, or both were identified. Large and giant breed dogs were grouped according to whether combined compressions were at the same site or different sites. Statistical methods were used to investigate the association and relationship between variables. RESULTS: Thirty-five out of 60 (58%) were large breeds and 22/60 (37%) were giant breeds. Mean and median age was 6.6 and 7 years respectively (range, 0.75-11 years). Forty of the 60 dogs (67%) had concurrent osseous and disc-associated spinal cord compression in the same location. This was considered the main compression site in 32/40 (80%) dogs. Dogs with osseous- and disc-associated compressions at the same site were more likely to have a higher neurologic grade (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A substantial percentage of dogs with CSM present with concomitant IVD protrusion and osseous proliferations, most at the same site. Characterizing this combined form is important in the management of dogs with CSM because it could affect treatment choices.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37314024/