Detection of spinal cord compression in dogs with cervical intervertebral disc disease by magnetic resonance imaging
- T. M. Ryan, MVB, CertSAS, MRCVS1,
- S. R. Platt, BVM&S, DACVIM (Neurology), DECVN, MRCVS2,
- F. J. Llabres-Diaz, DVM, DVR, DipECVDI, MRCVS3,
- J. F. McConnell, BVM&S, DVR, DipECVDI, CertSAM, MRCVS4 and
- V. J. Adams, BSc, DVM, MSc, PhD, MRCVS5
- 1Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG
- 2Department of Small Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- 3Davies Veterinary Specialists, Manor Farm Business Park, Higham Gobion, Hertfordshire SG5 3HR
- 4Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE
- 5Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU
Abstract
The medical records and magnetic resonance images of 33 dogs with surgically confirmed Hansen type I cervical intervertebral disc disease were reviewed. Fourteen of the dogs were chondrodystrophic and 19 were not chondrodystrophic. The most common clinical sign was neck pain, which affected 28 of the dogs, and 23 of the dogs were able to walk. Fifteen of the dogs had developed clinical signs acutely, within the previous 24 hours. On cross-sectional images the median area of spinal cord compression was 26 per cent (range 11 to 71 per cent) of the normal spinal cord area. The degree of spinal cord compression was significantly associated with the dogs' presurgical neurological status but not with their postsurgical neurological status. The dogs with an acute onset of clinical signs had more severe neurological dysfunction before surgery, but their condition improved more as a result of surgery.
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