title: Cervical vertebral stenosis associated with a vertebral arch anomaly in the Basset Hound.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, treatment results, and histopathological findings of a previously undescribed vertebral malformation in the Basset Hound.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series study. Eighteen Basset Hounds presented for evaluation of a suspected cervical spinal cord problem. All dogs underwent computed tomography myelography or magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen male and 5 female Basset Hounds between 6 months and 10.8 years of age (median: 1.4 years) were studied. Clinical signs varied from cervical hyperesthesia to nonambulatory tetraparesis. Imaging demonstrated a well-defined and smooth hypertrophy of the dorsal lamina and spinous process of ≥ 2 adjacent vertebrae. Although this bony abnormality could decrease the ventrodorsal vertebral canal diameter, dorsal midline spinal cord compression was predominantly caused by ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. The articulation between C4 and C5 was most commonly affected. Three dogs were lost to follow-up, 10 dogs underwent dorsal laminectomy, and medical management was initiated in 5 dogs. Surgery resulted in a good outcome with short hospitalization times (median: 4.5 days) in all dogs, whereas medical management produced more variable results. Histopathology confirmed ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and demonstrated the fibrocartilaginous nature of this anomaly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dorsal lamina and spinous process hypertrophy leading to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy should be included in the differential diagnosis of Basset Hounds with cervical hyperesthesia or myelopathy. Prognosis after decompressive surgery is favorable. Although a genetic component is suspected, additional studies are needed to determine the specific etiology of this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshed Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. sdedecker@rvc.ac.uk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Decker
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Risio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lowrie
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mauler
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beltran
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giedja
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gielen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Garosi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Volk
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*