Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with lumbar ganglion cysts diagnosed by MRI
By Webb, A A et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2001·Department of Veterinary Physiological Sciences, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: MR imaging findings in a dog with lumbar ganglion cysts.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old female German Shepherd was experiencing back pain due to cysts in her spine, specifically at the L6-L7 and L7-S1 joints. After using MRI to confirm the diagnosis, the veterinarian performed surgery to remove the cysts and stabilize the affected joints. Following the surgery, the dog showed significant improvement and remained pain-free for over a year and a half.
People also search for: dog back pain treatment · German Shepherd spine cysts · surgery for dog lumbar issues
Abstract
Intraspinal cysts of the L6-L7 and L7-S1 articular process joints in a six-year-old neutered female German Shepherd Dog were diagnosed using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Histopathology provided a diagnosis of ganglion cysts. Clinical, laboratory, radiographic and MR imaging findings are described. Briefly, radiographic findings revealed lumbarization of the first sacral vertebra, and fusion of the first caudal vertebra to the sacrum. In addition, spondylosis and articular process osteoarthrosis occurred at L6-L7 and L7-S1. MR imaging revealed multiple, well encapsulated structures ranging in size from 3-10 mm in diameter which were found to arise from the L6-L7 and L7-S1 articular process joints. These cysts had signal intensities that varied from hyperintense to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on T1 weighted images to isointense to CSF on T2 weighted images. Decompressive surgery in conjunction with arthrodesis of these joints resulted in resolution of clinical signs. The dog remained pain-free 1 1/2 years following surgical therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11245245/