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CC BY 4.0 · VCOT Open 2019; 02(01): e60-e72
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1692147
Clinical Communication
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Surgical Management of Thoracolumbar Myelopathies in Pug Dogs with Concurrent Articular Facet Dysplasia

Anna Tauro
1   ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists, Neurology Service, Chester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
4   Fitzpatrick Referrals, Neurology Service, Eashing, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Jeremy Rose
2   Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, Neurology Service, Alton, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
4   Fitzpatrick Referrals, Neurology Service, Eashing, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Clare Rusbridge
3   School of Veterinary Medicine, Guildford, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
4   Fitzpatrick Referrals, Neurology Service, Eashing, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Colin J. Driver
2   Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, Neurology Service, Alton, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
4   Fitzpatrick Referrals, Neurology Service, Eashing, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

29 June 2018

16 April 2019

Publication Date:
11 June 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Objectives The aim of this article is to present the outcome of vertebral stabilization using pins and polymethylmethacrylate in isolation or with concurrent spinal cord decompression for thoracolumbar myelopathies in Pug dogs with associated caudal articular process dysplasia.

Materials and Methods Retrospective case review of 14 Pug dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy and concurrent caudal articular process dysplasia identified with magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Pug dogs were graded based on the Texas Spinal Cord Injury Scale and clinical follow-up was performed immediately after surgery, at the discharge and at during the postoperative period (median 5 months). Postoperative computed tomography was performed immediately post-surgical intervention in all cases and a variable postoperative time (6 weeks or 6 months). Follow-up with telephone interview with owners was performed at a median time of 12 months postoperatively.

Results Median age of presentation was 8.5 years. In 10/14 cases, neurological improvement was observed, while urinary/faecal incontinence resolved in only two of seven affected cases. Other congenital vertebral malformations were identified in 9/14 cases.

Clinical Significance In our population of Pug dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy and concurrent caudal articular process dysplasia, vertebral stabilization in isolation or with concurrent spinal cord decompression appeared to result in a favourable clinical outcome in the majority of patients. This technique may be favourable for myelopathies with a reportedly poor surgical outcome in this breed.

Keywords

thoracolumbar myelopathy - vertebral instability - arachnoid diverticulum - pia-arachnoid fibrosis - intervertebral disc protrusion

Author Contribution

Anna Tauro contributed to conception of study, study design, acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. Jeremy Rose and Clare Rusbridge contributed to study design and data analysis and interpretation. Colin John Driver contributed to conception of study, study design, and data analysis and interpretation. All authors drafted, revised and approved the submitted manuscript.


 

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