Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MRI findings in 69 dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease
By Besalti, Omer et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2006·Department of Surgery·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Magnetic resonance imaging findings in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease: 69 cases (1997-2005).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 69 dogs with back pain was examined using MRI to find out what was causing their intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), which can lead to symptoms like weakness or difficulty walking. The MRI results showed four main issues: disk degeneration, bulging disks, disk protrusion, and disk extrusion. Many dogs had more than one type of problem, and some showed changes in their spinal cord. Understanding these MRI findings can help vets better diagnose and treat dogs with back issues, leading to more effective care.
People also search for: dog back pain MRI · intervertebral disk disease treatment · dog weakness walking · dog spinal cord issues
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in dogs with intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) and develop a classification scheme for IVDD in dogs based on MRI findings. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 69 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs admitted because of thoracolumbar IVDD in which MRI of T9 through L7 had been performed were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 759 intervertebral disk spaces were examined. Of these, 342 (45.1%) were classified as having a normal MRI appearance; the remaining 417 (54.9%) had various types of IVDD. Disk degeneration was identified in 276 disk spaces in 56 dogs, bulging of the intervertebral disk was identified in 37 disk spaces in 24 dogs, disk protrusion was identified in 54 disk spaces in 32 dogs, and disk extrusion was identified in 50 disk spaces in 48 dogs. Cartilage endplate changes were identified in 35 vertebrae in 17 dogs, and increased signal intensity of the spinal cord was identified in 21 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Four types of IVDD (disk degeneration, bulging of the intervertebral disk, disk protrusion, and disk extrusion) were identified on the basis of MRI findings in dogs with thoracolumbar IVDD. We recommend that a standardized nomenclature be adopted for the various types of thoracolumbar IVDD in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16536704/