title: Hemilaminectomy and vertebral stabilization for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc associated dynamic compression in 11 dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the diagnostic findings, surgical technique and outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc-associated dynamic compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Client owned dogs (n = 11).
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (2005-2010) of dogs with a stress myelographic diagnosis of spinal cord injury due to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc-associated dynamic compression with inconclusive compression in the neutral myelographic views that had hemilaminectomy and vertebral stabilization were reviewed. Data on pre- and postoperative neurologic status, diagnostic findings, surgical techniques and outcomes were retrieved. Follow-up clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed immediately, and at approximately one, two, and six months postoperatively as well as at annual follow-up examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stress myelography demonstrated distinct ventral dynamic compression due to bulging of the disc and additional dorsal compression due to infolding of the ligamentum flavum in some cases. The median percentage of post-stress reduction in spinal cord height on the lateral view was 18.0% (9.8-27.2%). All dogs recovered after surgery and at follow-up examinations were still ambulatory (median: 45 months, range: 7 to 94 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc degeneration may result in disc-associated dynamic compression. Stress myelography was an effective means of diagnosing this condition and hemilaminectomy with vertebral stabilization was an effective treatment resulting in long-term neurological improvement in all dogs.
authors.affiliation: Takeshi Aikawa, BVSc, Diplomate JCVS, Aikawa Veterinary Medical Center, 4-3-1 Nishi Otiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 161-0031, Japan, Phone: +81 03 5988 7887, E-mail: taikawa@wb3.so-net.ne.jp.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aikawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sadahiro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Disc degeneration; intervertebral disc herniation; spinal cord injury; stress myelography; vertebral instability