title: MR cisternography/myelography of post-traumatic spinal CSF fistulae and meningeal lesions in small animals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of post-traumatic spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae due to dural tears or lesions remains a challenge. Thus far, CT myelography is the standard test used to diagnose these complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the diagnostic ability of gadolinium-enhanced MR cisternography/myelography (intrathecal gadopentate dimeglumine or Gd-DTPA) in small animals that had experienced accidental spinal trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four dogs and one cat suffered traumatic accidents resulting in neurological deficits underwent spinal MRI with intrathecal Gd-DTPA after routine plain films and MR images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  T2-weighted SE images showed high water content in the epidural space or in the surroundings of the vertebrae in four animals. MR myelography revealed CSF leakage in all of them. In two animals CSF leaks were observed exuding from the spinal canal and tracking towards adjacent loose fat and interfascial planes. In two other animals Gd-DTPA extravasation was diffusely collected in paraspinal tissues around the vertebral arch. In the fifth animal a focal pseudomeningocele was observed adjacent to the traumatized region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intrathecal administration of Gd-DTPA is an effective method to reveal and confirm post-traumatic spinal CSF fistulae or other dural lesions in animals with potential application in humans.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Radiology, Madrid, Spain almugo7557@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Radiology, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Isidro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mateo
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Radiology, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lorenzo
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Radiology, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jeronimo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Radiology, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crespo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D065634:Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000662:veterinary; D003287:Contrast Media; D004285:Dogs; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000293:injuries*; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA
keywords: Dural fistulae; animal studies; intrathecal Gd-DTPA; magnetic resonance imaging; spine; trauma