title: Constrictive myelopathy secondary to hypoplasia or aplasia of the thoracolumbar caudal articular processes in Pugs: 11 cases (1993-2009).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report thoracolumbar caudal articular process malformations with secondary constrictive fibrosis of the spinal cord in Pugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  11 Pugs with neurologic dysfunction resulting from constriction of fibrous tissue secondary to thoracolumbar caudal articular process malformation and 5 Pugs with no neurologic dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of dogs with myelopathy presumably caused by constriction of fibrous tissue secondary to thoracolumbar caudal articular process malformation at 2 referral institutions between 1993 and 2009 were reviewed. Dogs were included in the study if hypoplastic or aplastic thoracolumbar caudal articular processes were present on radiographs, CT images, or MRI images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common neurologic examination findings were paraparesis with ataxia or paraplegia but no evidence of hyperpathia along the vertebral column. All dogs' neurologic lesion localization was to the T3-L3 spinal cord segments. Median age at examination was 7. 7 years (range, 2 to 11 years). Five of 11 dogs had a history of unrelated trauma. Four of 11 dogs had urinary or fecal incontinence. Eight of 11 dogs underwent surgical exploration. Despite surgical intervention, all dogs that survived surgery continued to have neurologic deficits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, presence of aplastic or hypoplastic articular processes in the thoracolumbar region did not always produce neurologic signs. However, fibrous constrictive myelopathy should be considered in Pugs with pelvic limb gait and postural reaction deficits and lack of hyperpathia upon palpation of the vertebral column. Additional studies are warranted to further characterize the disease process and determine the most effective means of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. fisher@cvm.msstate.edu
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shores
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001848:Bone Diseases, Developmental / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*