Pneumorrhachis in a rottweiler.
An 8·5-year-old, female, neutered, Rottweiler was presented for investigation of progressive ataxia of one week duration. Proprioception was absent in the left pelvic limb and reduced on the right, thoracolumbar hyperalgesia was evident and pelvic limb segmental spinal reflexes were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a spherical region of signal void compressing the spinal cord between the fifth and sixth thoracic vertebrae and several non-compressive degenerate intervertebral discs. Computed tomography (CT) of the region confirmed the findings and identified the lesion as gas. A dorsolateral hemilaminectomy was performed to decompress the spinal cord and achieved complete resolution of the clinical signs on examination after 3 months. This is the first known reported case of spontaneous pneumorrhachis in a veterinary patient.
Highcroft Veterinary Referrals, 615 Wells Rd, Whitchurch, Bristol.
N J
NJ
Macdonald
R A
RA
Pettitt
J F
JF
McConnell
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome