Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MRI signs of spine fractures causing paralysis in 11 dogs
By Johnson, Philippa et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2012·Radiology Department, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of suspected vertebral instability associated with fracture or subluxation in eleven dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old Dachshund was brought in with severe weakness in all four legs after a fall, indicating possible spinal injury. The vet performed an MRI, which revealed fractures and instability in the spine, along with damage to the spinal cord and surrounding soft tissues. The dog was diagnosed with tetraplegia but still had some sensation. After surgical stabilization of the spine, the dog showed improvement and was able to regain some mobility. MRI proved crucial in understanding the extent of the injury and guiding treatment.
People also search for: dog spinal injury treatment · Dachshund weakness after fall · MRI for dog back problems
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of suspected instability in dogs with vertebral fractures or subluxations. Eleven dogs that had MRI examinations of the spine prior to surgical stabilization of vertebral fractures and/or subluxations were included in the study. Nine dogs also had survey radiographs. Four dogs had cervical fracture or fracture-subluxation and presented with tetraplegia with intact nociception (n = 2) or nonambulatory tetraparesis (n = 2). Seven dogs had thoracolumbar fracture-subluxation or subluxation and presented with paraplegia with intact nociception (n = 5) or nonambulatory paraparesis (n = 2). A three-compartment model was applied to the interpretation of both the radiographic and MRI studies. Radiography identified compartmental disruption consistent with spinal instability in seven out of the nine cases radiographed. In MRI studies, rupture of the supportive soft tissue structures and/or fracture in at least two compartments could be visualized. Nine cases had spinal cord changes on MRI including signal intensity changes, swelling, compression, and intramedullary hemorrhage. Paravertebral muscle intensity changes were also visible at each trauma site. Magnetic resonance imaging provided helpful information on the location and extent of damage to supportive soft tissue structures and enabled assessment of spinal cord injury in this group of dogs with surgically confirmed vertebral fractures and subluxations.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22703283/