title: Minimally Invasive Drainage of a Post-Laminectomy Subfascial Seroma with Cervical Spinal Cord Compression.
abstract: A 14 mo old female neutered Doberman pinscher was evaluated for difficulty in rising, a wide based stance, pelvic limb gait abnormalities, and cervical pain of 2 mo duration. Neurologic examination revealed pelvic limb ataxia and cervical spinal hyperesthesia. Spinal reflexes and cranial nerve examination were normal. The pathology was localized to the C1-C5 or C6-T2 spinal cord segments. Computed tomography (CT) findings indicated bony proliferation of the caudal articular processes of C6 and the cranial articular processes of C7, resulting in bilateral dorsolateral spinal cord compression that was more pronounced on the left side. A limited dorsal laminectomy was performed at C6-C7. Due to progressive neurological deterioration, follow-up CT examination was performed 4 days postoperatively. At the level of the laminectomy defect, a subfacial seroma had developed, entering the spinal canal and causing significant spinal cord compression. Under ultrasonographic guidance a closed-suction wound catheter was placed. Drainage of the seroma successfully relieved its compressive effects on the spinal cord and the patient's neurological status improved. CT was a valuable tool in assessing spinal cord compression as a result of a postoperative subfascial seroma. Minimally invasive application of a wound catheter can be successfully used to manage this condition.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals (A.M.K., I.C., B.VG., I.P., H.dR.) and Department of Medical Imaging (A.C., I.G.), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; and the DAC Malpertuus, Heusden, Belgium (P.V.).
authors.forename: Adriaan Mynhardt
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kitshoff
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals (A.M.K., I.C., B.VG., I.P., H.dR.) and Department of Medical Imaging (A.C., I.G.), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; and the DAC Malpertuus, Heusden, Belgium (P.V.).
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Goethem
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals (A.M.K., I.C., B.VG., I.P., H.dR.) and Department of Medical Imaging (A.C., I.G.), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; and the DAC Malpertuus, Heusden, Belgium (P.V.).
authors.forename: Ine
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cornelis
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals (A.M.K., I.C., B.VG., I.P., H.dR.) and Department of Medical Imaging (A.C., I.G.), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; and the DAC Malpertuus, Heusden, Belgium (P.V.).
authors.forename: Anais
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Combes
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals (A.M.K., I.C., B.VG., I.P., H.dR.) and Department of Medical Imaging (A.C., I.G.), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; and the DAC Malpertuus, Heusden, Belgium (P.V.).
authors.forename: Ingeborgh Polis
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Dvm
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals (A.M.K., I.C., B.VG., I.P., H.dR.) and Department of Medical Imaging (A.C., I.G.), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; and the DAC Malpertuus, Heusden, Belgium (P.V.).
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gielen
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals (A.M.K., I.C., B.VG., I.P., H.dR.) and Department of Medical Imaging (A.C., I.G.), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; and the DAC Malpertuus, Heusden, Belgium (P.V.).
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vandekerckhove
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals (A.M.K., I.C., B.VG., I.P., H.dR.) and Department of Medical Imaging (A.C., I.G.), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; and the DAC Malpertuus, Heusden, Belgium (P.V.).
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Rooster
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D049291:Seroma / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary