Web-Vet TM Neurology Specialists
Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy & Vascular Diseases
Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) is characterized by acute spinal cord infarction caused by embolism of fibrocartilage identical to that of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disk. Acute tetra-, para-, or monoparesis or monoplegia can be seen based on the location of the ischemic injury to the cord. Most commonly, this affects large breed dogs. FCEM rarely affects cats. For information on feline arterial thromboembolism (FATE; saddle thrombus), go to miscellaneous myopathies.
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and outcome of paraplegic dogs with or without pain perception secondary to presumptive thoracolumbar FCEM or ANNPE. Our secondary goal was to investigate if any clinical parameters could predict outcome in these dogs.
Thirty-one dogs were included. In total, 14 dogs were initially paraplegic DPP (8 FCEM, 6 ANNPE) and 17 dogs were paraplegic DPN (11 FCEM, 6 ANNPE). Outcome was available for 26 dogs (14 DPP, 12 DPN) with a median follow-up time of 182 days (range 0–2,311) including 2 dogs euthanized at the time of diagnosis; 1 of 12 DPN dogs (8.3%) regained independent ambulation, whereas 9 of 14 DPP dogs (64.3%) regained independent ambulation. DPN dogs had a significantly higher risk of not regaining independent ambulation compared with DPP dogs (OR: 47.40, 95% CI: 2.09–1073.99). No other variables were associated with outcome.
SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE IN A DOG WITH ANGIOSTRONGYLOSIS
This case report describes subarachnoid hemorrhage in a dog infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum. The pathogenesis of the hemorrhage due to A. vasorum infection is incompletely understood but does not seem to necessarily involve parasitic intraparenchymal invasion. Hemorrhagic diathesis is postulated to result from dysregulation of hemostatic proteins.
Feline ischaemic myelopathy with a predilection for the cranial cervical spinal cord in older cats
The aim of this study is to report a novel subtype of feline cervical IM resulting from ischaemia of the ventral spinal artery (VSA) with defining clinical and MRI features.
Eight cats with a mean age of 14 years presented with ambulatory tetraparesis to tetraplegia with nociception present. Six cats had marked cervical ventroflexion. All eight cats were diagnosed with one or more concurrent medical conditions, including chronic kidney disease (n = 2), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n = 2) and hypertension (n = 6). Median time to ambulation was 5.7 days (range 2–14 days). Long-term follow-up ranged from 7 months to 3 years and 3 months (median 1 year and 2 months). Five cats had no reported recurrence of clinical signs and 3/8 had a chronic relapsing disease course. One cat had an acute recurrence of clinical signs 4 months after the first event and was euthanased.
Clinical signs, causes, and outcome of central cord syndrome in 22 cats
The aim of this study was to describe the signalment, clinical findings, presumptive or definitive diagnosis, and outcome in cats with central cord syndrome (CCS).
Two neuroanatomical localizations were associated with CCS: C1-C5 spinal cord segments in 17 (77.3%) cats and C6-T2 spinal cord segments in 5 (22.7%) cats. Neuroanatomical localization did not correlate with lesion location on MRI in 8 (36.3%) cats. The most common lesion location within the vertebral column was over the C2 and C4 vertebral bodies in 6 (27.2%) and 5 (22.7%) cats, respectively. Peracute clinical signs were observed in 11 (50%) cats, acute in 1 (4.5%), subacute in 4 (18%), and chronic and progressive signs were seen in 6 (40.9%) cats. The most common peracute condition was ischemic myelopathy in 8 (36.3%) cats, whereas neoplasia was the most frequently identified chronic etiology occurring in 5 (22.7%) cats. Outcome was poor in 13 (59%) cats, consisting of 4 of 11 (36.6%) of the peracute cases, 3 of 4 (75%) of the subacute cases, and 6 of 6 of the chronic cases.
Central cord syndrome: clinical features, etiological diagnosis, and outcome in 74 dogs
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and neurologic signs, diagnostic investigations, definitive or presumptive diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of dogs presented with acute onset central cord syndrome (CCS).
2 neuroanatomic locations for the CCS were identified: C1-C5 spinal cord segments in 65 of 74 (88%) dogs and C6-T2 in 9 (12%) dogs. Neurolocalization did not correlate with the imaging findings in 43 (58%) dogs. Different diseases were associated with CCS. The most common condition was Hansen type I disk herniation in 27 (36%) dogs and hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion in 16 (22%) dogs. Main lesion locations within the vertebral column associated with CCS were C3-C4 and C4-C5 intervertebral disk spaces in 21 (28%) and 18 (24%) dogs, respectively. Outcome was favorable in 69 (93%) dogs. Patients presenting with hypoventilation were 14.7 times more likely to have a poor outcome.