Magnetic resonance imaging findings in dogs with traumatic intervertebral disk extrusion with or without spinal cord compression: 31 cases (2006–2010)

Diana Henke Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.

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Daniela Gorgas Department of Veterinary Radiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.

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Thomas Flegel Department of Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany.

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Marc Vandevelde Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.

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Johann Lang Department of Veterinary Radiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.

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Marcus G. Doherr Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.

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Franck Forterre Department of Veterinary Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.

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Abstract

Objective—To determine the prevalence of spinal cord compression subsequent to traumatic intervertebral disk (IVD) extrusion in dogs, characterize factors associated with spinal cord compression in dogs with traumatic IVD extrusion, and evaluate the outcomes of dogs with traumatic IVD extrusion with or without spinal cord compression.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—31 dogs with traumatic IVD extrusion.

Procedures—Medical records and MRI findings were reviewed for dogs with a history of trauma to the spinal region. Dogs were included in the study if a neurologic examination and MRI were performed and there was a description of clinical signs and MRI findings including identification of the spinal cord segment affected by IVD extrusion, presence or absence of spinal cord compression, treatment, and outcome available for review.

Results—31 of 50 (62%) dogs had traumatic IVD extrusions without any other detectable vertebral lesions; 9 (29%) and 22 (71%) of those 31 dogs did and did not have spinal cord compression, respectively. Dogs with spinal cord compression were significantly older and more likely to be chondrodystrophic and have evidence of generalized IVD degeneration, compared with dogs without spinal cord compression. The outcome for dogs with spinal cord compression was similar to that for dogs without spinal cord compression.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated traumatic IVD extrusion was common and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with trauma to the spinal region, and spinal cord compression should be evaluated, especially in older or chondrodystrophic dogs.

Abstract

Objective—To determine the prevalence of spinal cord compression subsequent to traumatic intervertebral disk (IVD) extrusion in dogs, characterize factors associated with spinal cord compression in dogs with traumatic IVD extrusion, and evaluate the outcomes of dogs with traumatic IVD extrusion with or without spinal cord compression.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—31 dogs with traumatic IVD extrusion.

Procedures—Medical records and MRI findings were reviewed for dogs with a history of trauma to the spinal region. Dogs were included in the study if a neurologic examination and MRI were performed and there was a description of clinical signs and MRI findings including identification of the spinal cord segment affected by IVD extrusion, presence or absence of spinal cord compression, treatment, and outcome available for review.

Results—31 of 50 (62%) dogs had traumatic IVD extrusions without any other detectable vertebral lesions; 9 (29%) and 22 (71%) of those 31 dogs did and did not have spinal cord compression, respectively. Dogs with spinal cord compression were significantly older and more likely to be chondrodystrophic and have evidence of generalized IVD degeneration, compared with dogs without spinal cord compression. The outcome for dogs with spinal cord compression was similar to that for dogs without spinal cord compression.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated traumatic IVD extrusion was common and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with trauma to the spinal region, and spinal cord compression should be evaluated, especially in older or chondrodystrophic dogs.

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