Myelographic and low-field magnetic resonance imaging findings in dogs with presumptive acute hydrated non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion

MRI is considered gold standard for the diagnosis of presumptive acute hydrated non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusions (AHNCNPE). This retrospective study describes the myelographic findings in dogs with AHNCNPE diagnosed by low-field MRI and their association with neurological grade, need of surgical decompression and outcome. Forty-two myelographies (21 dogs with presumptive AHNCNPE, 21 dogs with Hansen type I disc disease herniation) were blindly evaluated. Site of herniation, compression pattern, ratio of length of the lesion to length of the second lumbar vertebra (LL:L2) and degree of spinal cord compression (SCC) were measured on the myelographies of dogs with presumptive AHNCNPE and were compared with the corresponding MRI features. Percentage of extruded volume of nucleus pulposus (VNP) was calculated on MR images. Myelographic interobserver agreement for presumptive diagnosis of AHNCNPE was almost perfect (κ=0.8). Accuracy of myelography to detect site of herniation was 80.9 per cent and to identify extradural compression was 57.1 per cent. Mean SCC was 5.8±2.6 per cent for myelography and 6.6±3 per cent for MRI. Mean LL:L2 ratio was 1.7±0.9 for myelography and 1.2±0.8 for MRI. Mean percentage of extruded VNP was 40±14 per cent, and it was positively associated with neurological grade.

Clinical Features, Imaging Characteristics, and Long-term Outcome of Dogs with Cranial Meningocele or Meningoencephalocele

Background

The term meningoencephalocele (MEC) describes a herniation of cerebral tissue and meninges through a defect in the cranium, whereas a meningocele (MC) is a herniation of the meninges alone.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To describe the clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, and outcomes of dogs with cranial MC and MEC.

Animals

Twenty‐two client‐owned dogs diagnosed with cranial MC or MEC.

Methods

Multicentric retrospective descriptive study. Clinical records of 13 institutions were reviewed. Signalment, clinical history, neurologic findings and MRI characteristics as well as treatment and outcome were recorded and evaluated.

Results

Most affected dogs were presented at a young age (median, 6.5 months; range, 1 month – 8 years). The most common presenting complaints were seizures and behavioral abnormalities. Intranasal MEC was more common than parietal MC. Magnetic resonance imaging identified meningeal enhancement of the protruded tissue in 77% of the cases. Porencephaly was seen in all cases with parietal MC. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis identified mild abnormalities in 4 of 11 cases. Surgery was not performed in any affected dog. Seventeen patients were treated medically, and seizures were adequately controlled with anti‐epileptic drugs in 10 dogs. Dogs with intranasal MEC and mild neurologic signs had a fair prognosis with medical treatment.

Conclusion and clinical importance

Although uncommon, MC and MEC should be considered as a differential diagnosis in young dogs presenting with seizures or alterations in behavior. Medical treatment is a valid option with a fair prognosis when the neurologic signs are mild.

Cerebellar granuloprival degeneration in an Australian kelpie and a Labrador retriever dog

A 7-month-old Australian kelpie dog and a 14-month-old Labrador retriever dog were diagnosed with an uncommon form of cerebellar abiotrophy called cerebellar granuloprival degeneration. This was characterized by a loss of the granular neurons with relative sparing of the Purkinje neurons.

Cervicothoracic syringohydromyelia associated with a prosencephalic mass in a dog

A five-year-old, female, neutered boxer, with neuroanatomical signs consistent with a C1-C5 myelopathy, was diagnosed with a prosencephalic mass and associated severe cervicothoracic syringohydromyelia. After treatment with corticosteroids and lomustine, neurological examination was normal. Imaging repeated three months later showed significant reduction in both the size of the mass and the syringohydromyelia. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a dog with syringohydromyelia secondary to a rostral brain mass that had clinical signs on presentation solely due to the syrinx, and the first reported case in a dog of partial resolution of syringohydromyelia after treatment solely with chemotherapy.

Blood pressure of omnivorous and semi-vegetarian postmenopausal women and their relationship with dietary and hair concentrations of essential and toxic metals

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to ascertain the relationships between mineral consumption, hair mineral content, and blood pressure.

METHODS

The study involved 26 postmenopausal women from enclosed religious communities, 14 were semi-vegetarians and 12 were omnivores. Mineral dietary assessment was performed using a 14-d precise weight method and Food tables. Hair mineral levels were measured by means Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Multivariable stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to find out the variables that affected most blood pressure.

RESULTS

In general terms, the omnivorous diet contained a significantly higher mineral content than the semi-vegetarian one. The mineral intake from both diets implied no health risk to the women studied, as their estimated daily intake (EDI) of toxic elements such as Cd and Pb was lower than their respective provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of these minerals. Hair of the semi-vegetarians contained higher amounts of Al (p < 0.01), Ba (p < 0.01), K (p < 0.001), Na (p < 0.001), Pb (p < 0.001) and Mn (p < 0.01) but lower levels of Ca (p < 0.05) and Zn (p < 0.05) than that of their omnivorous counterparts. The omnivores presented significantly higher systolic (p < 0.01) and diastolic (p < 0.05) pressures than the semi-vegetarians. Levels of hair Co (R² = 0.328; p = 0.032) and hair K (R² = 0.409; p = 0.014)) were explicative for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Several dietary mineral and hair contents were higher in semi-vegetarian women suggesting that the hair is an important mineral excretion via contributing to maintain blood pressure at low levels.

Myopathy associated with congenital fibre type disproportion in a young dog

A 4-month-old, female collie-cross dog was presented for evaluation of slowly progressive weakness, exercise intolerance and muscle atrophy. Neurological examination and electrodiagnostic testing were consistent with a generalized myopathy or, less likely, an axonal polyneuropathy. Muscle biopsy samples revealed marked variability in myofibre size with scattered or clustered atrophic or hypotrophic type 1 fibres. Type 1 fibres were 65% smaller than type 2A fibres and the percentage of type 1 fibres exceeded reference values for both limb muscles examined. On the basis of the clinical evaluation, pathological changes and the absence of another defined congenital or acquired myopathy, a diagnosis of a myopathy associated with congenital fibre type disproportion was made. Three months later the animal was humanely euthanized because of worsening clinical signs.

Combined Use of Surgery and Radiation in the Treatment of an Intradural Myxoid Liposarcoma in a Dog

An intradural-extramedullary myxoid liposarcoma of the high cervical spine was diagnosed in a 9-year-old, spayed female Cavalier King Charles spaniel that was presented for a 2-month history of cervical pain and tetraparesis. Radiation therapy applied after surgery resulted in complete remission of the neurological deficits. The tumor recurred 18 months after surgical excision. A second surgery and another course of radiotherapy again resulted in complete remission of the clinical signs. The dog was euthanized 11 months after the second surgery because of tumor recurrence.