Spinal epidural empyema in seven dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical findings, and outcome in dogs with spinal epidural empyema (SEE).


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Seven dogs.


METHODS
Dogs with SEE between 1992 and 2001 were identified from a computerized medical record system. Inclusion criteria were: neurologic examination, vertebral column radiographs, myelography, antimicrobial culture and susceptibility of material collected surgically from the vertebral canal, a definitive diagnosis of SEE confirmed by surgery, and microscopic examination of tissue from the vertebral canal.


RESULTS
Common signs were lethargy, fever, anorexia, apparent spinal pain, and paraparesis/plegia. Common laboratory abnormalities were peripheral neutrophilia, and neutrophilic pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Three dogs had concurrent discospondylitis and 1 of these had vertebral luxation. On myelography, extradural spinal cord compression was focal (2 dogs), multifocal (3), or diffuse (2). Bacteria were isolated not from CSF but from blood, surgical site, pleural fluid, or urine in 6 dogs. Dogs were administered antibiotics and had surgical decompression by hemilaminectomy. Five dogs improved neurologically and had a good long-term outcome. Two dogs were euthanatized, 1 because of worsening of neurologic signs and pneumonia, and the other because of herniation of a cervical intervertebral disc 1 month postoperatively, unrelated to the SEE.


CONCLUSIONS
Dogs with SEE may have a good outcome when treated by surgical decompression and antibiotic administration.


CONCLUSIONS
SEE should be included in a list of possible causes for dogs with fever, apparent spinal pain, and myelopathy.
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
James A
JA
Lavely
Karen M
KM
Vernau
William
W
Vernau
Eric J
EJ
Herrgesell
Richard A
RA
LeCouteur
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004653:Empyema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents