Accuracy of the withdrawal reflex for localization of the site of cervical disk herniation in dogs: 35 cases (2004-2007).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the accuracy of neurologic examination versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in localization of cervical disk herniation and evaluate the usefulness of withdrawal reflex testing in dogs.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
35 client-owned dogs with a single-level cervical disk herniation as determined via MRI.


METHODS
1 of 2 board-certified neurologists performed a complete neurologic examination in each dog. Clinical signs of a cervical lesion included evidence of neck pain and tetraparesis. The withdrawal reflex was used for neuroanatomic localization (C1-C5 or C6-T2). Agreement between results of neurologic and MRI examinations was determined.


RESULTS
Agreement between neurologic and MRI diagnoses was 65.8%. In 11 dogs in which the lesion was clinically localized to the C6-T2 segment on the basis of a decreased withdrawal reflex in the forelimbs, MRI revealed an isolated C1-C5 disk lesion. In 1 dog, in which the lesion was suspected to be at the C1-C5 level, MRI revealed a C6-T2 lesion. Cranial cervical lesions were significantly associated with an incorrect neurologic diagnosis regarding site of the lesion.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that the withdrawal reflex in dogs with cervical disk herniation is not reliable for determining the affected site and that a decreased withdrawal reflex does not always indicate a lesion from C6 to T2.
Forterre
Franck
F
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Division of Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Konar
Martin
M
Tomek
Ales
A
Doherr
Markus
M
Howard
Judith
J
Spreng
David
D
Vandevelde
Marc
M
Jaggy
André
A
D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006547:Hernia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology