Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Recovery outcomes in dogs with two types of spinal cord injury seen
By Mari, Lorenzo et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2017·Department of Neurology/Neurosurgery, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Outcome comparison in dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of thoracolumbar fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy and acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with sudden back problems were diagnosed with either fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) or acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE) after showing symptoms like weakness or difficulty walking. Most of these dogs, about 99%, were able to walk again, but many still had some motor issues afterward. Dogs with ANNPE were more likely to experience fecal incontinence compared to those with FCEM. Understanding the differences in MRI patterns between these conditions could help predict which dogs might face this issue.
People also search for: dog back problems · dog walking difficulty · fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy treatment · fecal incontinence in dogs · ANNPE recovery in dogs
Abstract
Dogs with fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) or acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE) are reported to have a fair prognosis; however, persistent motor/autonomic deficits are possible. Specific MRI patterns have been suggested to differentiate these diseases although never been validated with histopathology in large studies. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate if these MRI patterns are associated with different clinical outcomes in dogs with peracute non-progressive T3-L3 myelopathy. Two hundred and one dogs were included. Outcome data were obtained via medical records and telephone questionnaires. MRIs were blindly reviewed by three board-certified observers, obtaining substantial to almost perfect interobserver agreement on diagnoses (κ=0.635-0.828). Presumptive ANNPE and FCEM were diagnosed in 157 and 44 dogs , respectively. Ambulatory function was regained in 99 per cent of cases, with persistent motor deficits in 83.6 per cent and 92.5 per cent of dogs with presumptive ANNPE and FCEM, respectively. The presumptive diagnosis was not associated with motor function recovery, recovery times or urinary continence. Faecal incontinence was five times more likely in dogs with presumptive ANNPE (23 per cent) compared with presumptive FCEM (7.5 per cent).Distinguishing between MRI patterns of presumptive ANNPE or FCEM in dogs with peracute non-progressive T3-L3 myelopathy may help predict the risk of developing faecal incontinence.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28784693/