title: Vacuum disk and facet phenomenon in a dog with cauda equina syndrome.
abstract: A 7-year-old castrated male Rottweiler was evaluated for an 18-month history of bilateral hind limb lameness, signs of pain on rising, and mild ataxia. A gas-filled lumbosacral disk space (vacuum disk phenomenon) was revealed by use of computed tomography. Additional smaller gas bubbles were in the periphery of the disk and between the degenerated L5-L6 dorsal articular facets (vacuum facet phenomenon). Vacuum disk and facet phenomena have been described in humans with degenerative disk and vertebral articular facet joint disease; gas attracted from surrounding tissues accumulates within clefts of the degenerated disk or in unstable facet joints. Vacuum disk phenomenon has been reported in dogs and indicates degenerative disk disease. The phenomenon is more commonly observed by use of computed tomography, compared with conventional radiography, and can be elicited by hyperextension of the vertebral column.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone