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Clark R, Ferreira A, Behr S. Significance of intramedullary T2 * signal voids in the magnetic resonance imaging of paraplegic deep pain-negative dogs following intervertebral disc extrusion at short-term follow-up. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1248024. [PMID: 37781293 PMCID: PMC10533920 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1248024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Dogs presenting as paraplegic without nociception due to a thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion provide a difficult decision to both the clinician and the owner. The prognosis when performing surgical decompression remains guarded. Aside from significant extradural compression, these dogs often have a significant secondary spinal cord injury, which has shown to be an important factor in determining both the likelihood of developing progressive myelomalacia and the return to ambulation. Materials and methods This is a retrospective, observational, single centre study including 82 dogs presenting as paraplegic with absent nociception diagnosed with an intervertebral disc extrusion. Patients underwent MRI of the thoracolumbar spine, including a gradient echo sequence which was evaluated for the presence of intramedullary signal void artefacts. Decompressive surgery was performed, and patients were evaluated for the presence of nociception at short term follow up (at least four weeks post-surgery). Results Overall, 59.8% of patients regained nociception within the study period. This number was significantly reduced to 33.3% when multiple gradient echo signal voids were present (compared to 67.3% of dogs without signal voids). There was no significant difference in the rate of developing progressive myelomalacia between groups. Conclusions This paper adds to the existing literature and suggests that the gradient echo sequence may be of use when assessing acute spinal cord injury in the context of intervertebral disc extrusion and how it relates to prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Clark
- Neurology and Neurosurgery, Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, Part of Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, Solihull, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Ferreira
- Diagnostic Imaging, Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, Solihull, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastien Behr
- Neurology and Neurosurgery, Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, Part of Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, Solihull, United Kingdom
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2
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Martín-Noguerol T, Oñate Miranda M, Amrhein TJ, Paulano-Godino F, Xiberta P, Vilanova JC, Luna A. The role of Artificial intelligence in the assessment of the spine and spinal cord. Eur J Radiol 2023; 161:110726. [PMID: 36758280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.110726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) application development is underway in all areas of radiology where many promising tools are focused on the spine and spinal cord. In the past decade, multiple spine AI algorithms have been created based on radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. These algorithms have wide-ranging purposes including automatic labeling of vertebral levels, automated description of disc degenerative changes, detection and classification of spine trauma, identification of osseous lesions, and the assessment of cord pathology. The overarching goals for these algorithms include improved patient throughput, reducing radiologist workload burden, and improving diagnostic accuracy. There are several pre-requisite tasks required in order to achieve these goals, such as automatic image segmentation, facilitating image acquisition and postprocessing. In this narrative review, we discuss some of the important imaging AI solutions that have been developed for the assessment of the spine and spinal cord. We focus on their practical applications and briefly discuss some key requirements for the successful integration of these tools into practice. The potential impact of AI in the imaging assessment of the spine and cord is vast and promises to provide broad reaching improvements for clinicians, radiologists, and patients alike.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Oñate Miranda
- Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Timothy J Amrhein
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA.
| | | | - Pau Xiberta
- Graphics and Imaging Laboratory (GILAB), University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain.
| | - Joan C Vilanova
- Department of Radiology. Clinica Girona, Diagnostic Imaging Institute (IDI), University of Girona, 17002 Girona, Spain.
| | - Antonio Luna
- MRI unit, Radiology department. HT medica, Carmelo Torres n°2, 23007 Jaén, Spain.
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3
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Rosen S, Grzegorzewski JL, Heath S, Schocke C, Jeffery N. A 50‐step walking test for analysis of recovery after decompressive surgery for thoracolumbar disc herniation in dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2022; 36:1733-1741. [PMID: 36161381 PMCID: PMC9511074 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite its importance, there is no agreed definition of recovery of ambulation in dogs with spinal cord injury. Objectives To validate a new walking test in dogs recovering from thoracolumbar spinal cord injury. Animals Two hundred twenty‐four dogs weighing <20 kg: 120 normally ambulatory dogs, plus 104 dogs undergoing decompressive surgery for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Methods Prospective cohort studies. The distance each freely‐ambulatory dog walked during 50 step cycles was regressed on ulna length. For each postsurgical dog, we recorded when the calculated 50‐step distance was completed without falling, or their inability to complete this distance by 4 months or more after surgery. Bayesian analysis compared outcomes for presurgical neurologic categories; association of recovery with several preoperative variables was explored using logistic and time‐to‐event regression. Results For control dogs, 50‐step distance (m) = 1.384 × ulnar length (cm) + 2.773. In postsurgical dogs, the 50‐step test provided decisive evidence that deep pain‐negative dogs were less likely to recover ambulation than dogs with intact pain perception (12/29 recovered vs 71/75; Bayes factor [BF] = 5.9 × 106) and, if they did recover, it took much longer (median 91 days vs median 14 days; BF = 1.5 × 103). Exploratory analysis suggested that presurgical neurologic status (subhazard ratio [SHR] = 0.022; P < .001) and duration of presurgical anesthesia (SHR = 0.740; P = .04) were associated with rapidity of recovery. Conclusions and Clinical Importance This straightforward 50‐step walking test provides robust data on ambulatory recovery well‐suited to large scale pragmatic trials on treatment of thoracolumbar spinal cord injury in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Rosen
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| | | | - Stephanie Heath
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| | - Cynthia Schocke
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| | - Nicholas Jeffery
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
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4
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Moore SA, Olby NJ, Brisson B, Fenn J, Flegel T, Kortz G, Lewis M, Tipold A. ACVIM consensus statement on diagnosis and management of acute canine thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion. J Vet Intern Med 2022; 36:1570-1596. [PMID: 35880267 PMCID: PMC9511077 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL‐IVDE) is the most common cause of acute paraparesis and paraplegia in dogs; however, guidelines on management of the condition are lacking. Objectives To summarize the current literature as it relates to diagnosis and management of acute TL‐IVDE in dogs, and to formulate clinically relevant evidence‐based recommendations. Animals None. Methods A panel of 8 experts was convened to assess and summarize evidence from the peer‐reviewed literature in order to develop consensus clinical recommendations. Level of evidence available to support each recommendation was assessed and reported. Results The majority of available literature described observational studies. Most recommendations made by the panel were supported by a low or moderate level of evidence, and several areas of high need for further study were identified. These include better understanding of the ideal timing for surgical decompression, expected surgical vs medical outcomes for more mildly affected dogs, impact of durotomy on locomotor outcome and development of progressive myelomalacia, and refining of postoperative care, and genetic and preventative care studies. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Future efforts should build on current recommendations by conducting prospective studies and randomized controlled trials, where possible, to address identified gaps in knowledge and to develop cost effectiveness and number needed to treat studies supporting various aspects of diagnosis and treatment of TL‐IVDE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Moore
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Natasha J Olby
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Brigitte Brisson
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joe Fenn
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Flegel
- Department for Small Animals, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gregg Kortz
- VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center, Sacramento, California, USA.,VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center, UC Davis, California, USA
| | - Melissa Lewis
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Andrea Tipold
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Hanover, Germany
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Van Sandt RL, Welsh CJ, Jeffery ND, Young CR, McCreedy DA, Wright GA, Boudreau CE, Levine GJ, Levine JM. Circulating neutrophil activation in dogs with naturally occurring spinal cord injury secondary to intervertebral disk herniation. Am J Vet Res 2022; 83:324-330. [DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.21.05.0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the time course of circulating neutrophil priming and activity in dogs with spinal cord injury secondary to intervertebral disk herniation that undergo decompressive surgery.
ANIMALS
9 dogs with spinal cord injury and 9 healthy dogs (controls).
PROCEDURES
For dogs with spinal cord injury, blood samples were collected on the day of hospital admission and 3, 7, 30, and 90 days after injury and decompressive surgery. A single blood sample was collected from the control dogs. Flow cytometry analysis was performed on isolated neutrophils incubated with antibody against CD11b and nonfluorescent dihydrorhodamine 123, which was converted to fluorescent rhodamine 123 to measure oxidative burst activity.
RESULTS
Expression of CD11b was increased in dogs with spinal cord injury 3 days after injury and decompressive surgery, relative to day 7 expression. Neutrophils expressed high oxidative burst activity both 3 and 7 days after injury and decompressive surgery, compared with activity in healthy dogs.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
For dogs with spinal cord injury, high CD11b expression 3 days after injury and decompressive surgery was consistent with findings for rodents with experimentally induced spinal cord injury. However, the high oxidative burst activity 3 and 7 days after injury and decompressive surgery was not consistent with data from other species, and additional studies on inflammatory events in dogs with naturally occurring spinal cord injury are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rae L. Van Sandt
- 1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
- 2Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - C. Jane Welsh
- 2Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Nick D. Jeffery
- 1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Colin R. Young
- 2Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Dylan A. McCreedy
- 3Department of Biology, College of Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Gus A. Wright
- 4Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
- 5Flow Cytometry Facility, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - C. Elizabeth Boudreau
- 1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Gwendolyn J. Levine
- 4Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Jonathan M. Levine
- 1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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Saadoun S, Jeffery ND. Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Humans, Dogs, and Other Mammals: The Under-appreciated Role of the Dura. Front Neurol 2021; 12:629445. [PMID: 33613434 PMCID: PMC7887286 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.629445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
We review human and animal studies to determine whether, after severe spinal cord injury (SCI), the cord swells against the inelastic dura. Evidence from rodent models suggests that the cord swells because of edema and intraparenchymal hemorrhage and because the pia becomes damaged and does not restrict cord expansion. Human cohort studies based on serial MRIs and measurements of elevated intraspinal pressure at the injury site also suggest that the swollen cord is compressed against dura. In dogs, SCI commonly results from intervertebral disc herniation with evidence that durotomy provides additional functional benefit to conventional (extradural) decompressive surgery. Investigations utilizing rodent and pig models of SCI report that the cord swells after injury and that durotomy is beneficial by reducing cord pressure, cord inflammation, and syrinx formation. A human MRI study concluded that, after extensive bony decompression, cord compression against the dura may only occur in a small number of patients. We conclude that the benefit of routinely opening the dura after SCI is only supported by animal and level III human studies. Two randomized, controlled trials, one in humans and one in dogs, are being set up to provide Level I evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Saadoun
- Academic Neurosurgery Unit, St. George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas D Jeffery
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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Olby NJ, da Costa RC, Levine JM, Stein VM. Prognostic Factors in Canine Acute Intervertebral Disc Disease. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:596059. [PMID: 33324703 PMCID: PMC7725764 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.596059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the prognosis of acute spinal cord injury is critical to provide appropriate information for clients and make the best treatment choices. Acute intervertebral disc extrusions (IVDE) are a common cause of pain and paralysis in dogs with several types of IVDE occurring. Important prognostic considerations are recovery of ambulation, return of urinary and fecal continence, resolution of pain and, on the negative side, development of progressive myelomalacia. Initial injury severity affects prognosis as does type of IVDE, particularly when considering recovery of continence. Overall, loss of deep pain perception signals a worse outcome. When considering Hansen type 1 IVDE, the prognosis is altered by the choice of surgical vs. medical therapy. Concentration of structural proteins in the plasma, as well as inflammatory mediators, creatine kinase, and myelin basic protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can provide additional prognostic information. Finally, cross-sectional area and length of T2 hyperintensity and loss of HASTE signal on MRI have been associated with outcome. Future developments in plasma and imaging biomarkers will assist in accurate prognostication and optimization of patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha J. Olby
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Ronaldo C. da Costa
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jon M. Levine
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Veronika M. Stein
- Department for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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