Diagnosis and treatment of arthrosis of cervical articular facet joints in Scottish Deerhounds: 9 cases (1998-2002).
OBJECTIVE
To determine diagnostic features and efficacy of treatment of arthrosis of the cervical articular facet joints between C2 and C3 in Scottish Deerhounds.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
9 client-owned dogs.


METHODS
Medical records of affected dogs were reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed by results of clinical examination (signs of severe pain from unilateral or bilateral flexion of the cervical vertebral column), radiography, myelography, and computed tomography. Treatment consisted of fluoroscopy-guided intra-articular injection of corticosteroids and lidocaine.


RESULTS
Unilateral or bilateral arthrosis of the cervical facet joints between C2 and C3 was detected in all dogs. In 7 dogs, signs of pain were elicited by flexion of the side of the neck in which affected joints were detected radiographically. Two dogs had signs of pain during right lateral flexion, although bilateral lesions were detected. Five dogs had unilateral lesions, and 4 dogs had bilateral lesions; sclerosis and hypertrophy of the articular process were common. Two dogs had bridging of the articular space. Use of computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis. Myelography did not reveal abnormalities of the spinal cord or canal. After treatment, 8 dogs had rapid marked improvement of clinical signs, and 7 dogs remained free of clinical signs for > 4 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthrosis of the cervical facet joints in Scottish Deerhounds is a severely painful condition for which conventional radiography is a useful screening test. Intra-articular administration of corticosteroids and anesthetic is efficacious, long-lasting, and minimally invasive.
Kinzel
Sylvia
S
Department of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Technology Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
Hein
Sven
S
Buecker
Arno
A
Krombach
Gabriele A
GA
Kuepper
Werner
W
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000662:veterinary; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000187:drug effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones