• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.519-522
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• 2003

An appearance of herniated intervertebral disc into thoracolumbar vertebral canal was evaluated in two patients using computed tomography (CT). Before CT scanning, plain radiography and myelography were performed in both cases. CT images were compared to those of myelography. Dogs were positioned in sternal recumbency under inhalation anesthesia and transverse slices with 2 mm thickness were obtained around thoracolumbar region. The transverse CT images were examined using both vertebral and spiral window mode. The most common findings on CT images were loss of vertebral canal epidural fat, bulging of vertebral canal disc margins, displacement of spinal cord and flatted vertebral canal. Whereas, narrowed intervertebral disc space and simple extradural pattern were the main findings on plain and contrast radiographs. CT imges showed the extent of the herniated disc lesion, type II intervertebral disc hernation, and the displacement of spinal cord in detail in both occations. It is considered that degree and precise localization of the intervertebral disc herniation and subtle lesion of spinal cord could be identified accurately using computed tomography.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.213-217
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• 2019

Five paraplegic dogs were diagnosed with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease with more than 50% compression of spinal cord. Because the lesions were determined to be disc extrusion on magnetic resonance imaging, a hemilaminectomy was initially performed, however, protruded discs were confirmed during surgery. To remove the protruded disc, modified partial lateral corpectomy (mini-PLC) was additionally performed. All dogs recovered to full ambulation within a median of 44 days without temporary deterioration or vertebral instability. Mini-PLC as described here enables successful removal of the protruded disc, while preserving vertebral stability in dogs for whom the use of hemilaminectomy is inevitable.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2003

Fifteen dogs with clinical signs of paraparesis, paraplegia and urinary dysfunction were referred to Veterinary Medical leaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University. According to physical and neurologic examination, survey radiograph and myelography, these patients were diagnosed as thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease. All of them were treated with medical (prednisolone or carprofen, antibiotics), acupuncture (Ji Zhong, Bai Hui, Zhong Shu, Pang Guang Shu, Zu San Li, Huan Tiao) and physical therapy (hydrotherapy, thermotherapy, massage, manipulation, swimming). Of twelve patients were recovered of neurologic deficits within 21 days after the onset of treatment. However, three dogs were not resolved, which were found to have other spinal cord disease concomitantly. All of patients showed normal urination after treatment. Until 21 months after treatment, there were no recurrence in twelve patients. This study indicated that the conservative therapy could be effectively managed in paraparesis or paraplegia and urinary dysfunction which caused by intervertebral disc disease.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous endoscopic foraminotomy (PEF) for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation of the thoracolumbar spine in large-breed dogs by comparing it with open hemilaminectomy (OH). Six large-breed canine cadavers were used in the present study. A barium and agarose mixture (BA-gel) simulating intervertebral disc herniation was injected into the spinal canal at two intervertebral spaces (T12-T13, L2-L3) of the thoracolumbar spine in each cadaver. PEF and OH were randomly allocated to the sites in each cadaver. Computed tomography was performed pre- and postoperatively. The incision length, vertebral window size, procedure time, and amount of simulated disc material removed were recorded to compare PEF and OH. Both procedures clearly exposed the simulated disc material and spinal cord. The size of the incision and vertebral window created after PEF was much smaller than those after OH. The surgical duration of PEF was longer than that of OH. However, no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the amount of BA-gel removed between PEF and OH. Thus, PEF could be used as an effective surgical option for intervertebral disc herniation of the thoracolumbar region in large-breed dogs in that it could lead to less tissue damage as well as sufficient removal of the simulated disc material.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.219-219
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• 2009

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.363-373
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare differences in thoracolumbar ranges of motions by comparing ratios among 4 type diagnosis for patient with chronic low back pain. Methods : The subjects were 58 chronic low back pain patients. A motion analysis program (Global Postural System) was used after photography for posture measurement. To analyze differences in mobility percentages and ratios of thoracolumbar ranges of motion, one-way ANOVA was used. Results : Regional difference spinal posture and movement were found to diagnosis patients with chronic low back pain. Comparison of thoracolumbar ranges of motion revealed significant differences in the thoracic region during forward-bending of the trunk (p<.05). In the upper thoracic region, the herniated intervertebral lumbar disc (HILD) group was significantly larger than the spinal stenosis/herniated intervertebral lumbar disc (SS/HILD) group (p<.05). In the lower thoracic region, chronic sprains (CS) were significantly greater than in the spinal stenosis (SS) group and in the (SS/HJLD) group (p<.05). Comparative analysis of thoracic/lumbar mobility ratio showed the CS group's ratio during forward bending was largest: 1.66, while the HILD group's ratio was smallest: 84 a significant difference between the two groups (p<.01). Diagnosis was not associated with difference in thoracolumbar backward-bending range of motion (p>.05). Conclusion : Theses results indicate the clinical efficacy of diagnosing for chronic low back pain by evaluating spinal mobility.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.52.1-52.11
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• 2020

Background: Intradural-intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion (IIVDE) is a rare condition of intervertebral disc disease. However, the diagnosis of IIVDE is challenging because the prognosis and imaging characteristics are poorly characterized. Objectives: We aimed to describe the clinical and imaging characteristics of tentatively diagnosed IIVDE in dogs to assess the prognostic utility of neurological grade and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Methods: Twenty dogs were included in this retrospective cohort study. Results: Nonchondrodystrophic breeds (n = 16) were more predisposed than chondrodystrophic breeds. Most dogs showed acute onset of clinical signs. Neurological examination at admission showed predominant non-ambulatory paraparesis (n = 9); paresis (n = 16) was confirmed more frequently than paralysis (n = 4). Follow-up neurological examination results were only available for 11 dogs, ten of whom showed neurological improvement and 8 showed successful outcomes at 1 month. The characteristic MRI findings include thoracic vertebra (T)2 hyperintense, T1 hypointense, intramedullary linear tracts with reduced disc volume, and cleft of the annulus fibrosus. None of the MRI measurements were significantly correlated with neurological grade at admission. Neurological grade did not differ according to the presence of parenchymal hemorrhage, parenchymal contrast enhancement, and meningeal contrast enhancement. Neurological grades at admission showed a statistical correlation with those observed at the 1-month follow-up (r = 0.814, p = 0.02). Conclusions: IIVDE is a rare form of disc extrusion commonly experienced after physical activity or trauma and most frequently affects the cranial-cervical and thoracolumbar regions of nonchondrodystrophic dog breeds. Neurological score at admission emerged as a more useful prognostic indicator than MRI findings in dogs with suspected IIVDE.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.93-93
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• 2006

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2019

A 6-year-old Dachshund was presented with acute, non-localized pain without neurological dysfunction. Radiography revealed multiple calcifications of intervertebral discs and narrowing of disc space in the thoracolumbar region. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed calcified disc-like material entrapped in the left extraforaminal area and showed a displaced nerve root. Fenestration and removal of the extruded disc material were performed in a routine manner. Histopathological examination showed degenerative disc materials with severe calcification both in the nucleus pulposus and around the annulus fibrosis. Based on imaging, surgical, and histopathologic results, the dog was diagnosed with far lateral lumbar disc extrusion.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.235-239
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• 2022

A 10-year-old neutered male Siberian Husky presented with paraparesis and severe lethargy. On physical examination, the patient was unable to weight-bear and walk and exhibited significant muscle mass loss in both hindlimbs and generalized truncal alopecia with a dull coat of hair. On neurological examination, cranial lumbar vertebral pain, hind limb cross-extensor reflex, delayed hindlimb postural reaction, upper motor neuron bladder dysfunction, and total absence of cutaneous trunci reflex were identified. Computed tomography revealed diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and spondylosis deformans of the cervical and thoracolumbar vertebrae. In addition, a generalized decrease in bone mineral density of the vertebrae was identified. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperplasia of the epidural fat compressing the spinal cord in the thoracolumbar region and concurrent mild multiple intervertebral disc herniations. No specific findings were observed in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Blood analysis of thyroid function revealed decreased total T4 and free T4 levels, and increased TSH levels. The patient was tentatively diagnosed with spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) secondary to hypothyroidism. The patient was treated with levothyroxine, firocoxib, and gabapentin. Clinical signs gradually improved, and the patient showed normal ambulation 40 days after treatment initiation. SEL is extremely rare in dogs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of SEL secondary to hypothyroidism that was treated conservatively. Secondary SEL can be sufficiently managed by treating the underlying cause, if possible.