title: Magnetic resonance imaging findings in dogs with traumatic intervertebral disk extrusion with or without spinal cord compression: 31 cases (2006-2010).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of spinal cord compression subsequent to traumatic intervertebral disk (IVD) extrusion in dogs, characterize factors associated with spinal cord compression in dogs with traumatic IVD extrusion, and evaluate the outcomes of dogs with traumatic IVD extrusion with or without spinal cord compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  31 dogs with traumatic IVD extrusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records and MRI findings were reviewed for dogs with a history of trauma to the spinal region. Dogs were included in the study if a neurologic examination and MRI were performed and there was a description of clinical signs and MRI findings including identification of the spinal cord segment affected by IVD extrusion, presence or absence of spinal cord compression, treatment, and outcome available for review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  31 of 50 (62%) dogs had traumatic IVD extrusions without any other detectable vertebral lesions; 9 (29%) and 22 (71%) of those 31 dogs did and did not have spinal cord compression, respectively. Dogs with spinal cord compression were significantly older and more likely to be chondrodystrophic and have evidence of generalized IVD degeneration, compared with dogs without spinal cord compression. The outcome for dogs with spinal cord compression was similar to that for dogs without spinal cord compression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicated traumatic IVD extrusion was common and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with trauma to the spinal region, and spinal cord compression should be evaluated, especially in older or chondrodystrophic dogs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland. diana.henke@vetsuisse.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Henke
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gorgas
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Flegel
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vandevelde
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Marcus G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Doherr
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forterre
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*