title: Transarticular fixation with cortical screws combined with dorsal laminectomy and partial discectomy as surgical treatment of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in 17 dogs: clinical and computed tomography follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe clinical outcome and technical outcome assessed using computed tomography (CT) in dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) treated by dorsal laminectomy, partial discectomy, and transarticular screw fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective observational case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs with DLSS (n = 17).
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs with neurologic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings compatible with DLSS treated by dorsal laminectomy, partial discectomy and transarticular screw fixation were enrolled. Pre- and postoperative neurologic status was compared. Lumbosacral (LS) angle in extension and misalignment in preoperative MRI were compared with the postoperative CT. Residual mobility of the LS joint after fixation was also evaluated. Status of screws, presence of new bone formation over screw heads/articular facets and presence of adjacent segment disease (ASD) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median CT follow-up was 12 months. Clinical improvement was seen in 13 dogs, 2 dogs had intermittent LS pain, and 2 dogs needed revision surgery. In 5 dogs, screws were either pulled out or broken. Reduction of LS angle in extension and misalignment was achieved. Residual mobility of the LS segment was present and ASD was not recognized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transarticular screw fixation in dogs with DLSS is associated with a considerable number of technical failures and does not result in rigid stabilization; however, this did not significantly adversely influence clinical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurology, VetSuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Golini
authors.forename: Patrick R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Kircher
authors.forename: Fraser I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Steffen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary*; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D016267:External Fixators / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome