title: Accelerated recovery of sensorimotor function in a dog submitted to quasi-total transection of the cervical spinal cord and treated with PEG.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A case report on observing the recovery of sensory-motor function after cervical spinal cord transection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laminectomy and transection of cervical spinal cord (C5) was performed on a male beagle weighing 3.5 kg. After applying polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the severed part, reconstruction of cervical spinal cord was confirmed by the restoration of sensorimotor function. Tetraplegia was observed immediately after operation, however, the dog showed stable respiration and survival without any complication. The dog showed fast recovery after 1 week, and recovered approximately 90% of normal sensorimotor function 3 weeks after the operation, although urinary disorder was still present. All recovery stages were recorded by video camera twice a week for behavioral analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While current belief holds that functional recovery is impossible after a section greater than 50% at C5-6 in the canine model, this case study shows the possibility of cervical spinal cord reconstruction after near-total transection. Furthermore, this case study also confirms that PEG can truly expedite the recovery of sensorimotor function after cervical spinal cord sections in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: C-Yoon
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: In-Kyu
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Liebe Animal Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Se-Woong
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Liebe Animal Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hong Seog
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Bioscience, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chung-ju, Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Young
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Cervical spinal cord transection; dog; polyethylene glycol; sensorimotor function