Detection of compressive hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion in dogs with multislice computed tomography.
Compressive hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (HNPE) in dogs is defined as acute extradural compression by hydrated nucleus pulposus material at the level of the associated intervertebral disc. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis of HNPE. The aims of this study were to determine the usefulness of unenhanced computed tomography (CT) and contrast enhanced CT (CE-CT), and the sensitivity and specificity of CE-CT, for detection of compressive HNPE. Using CE-CT, HNPE was visualised as a hypodense extradural compressive lesion with rim enhancement immediately dorsal to the intervertebral disc space, with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 100%. CE-CT is a useful technique to detect compressive HNPE in dogs. However, if no clear lesion is identified with CE-CT, or if additional information about intramedullary changes is required, MRI still needs to be performed.
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium. Electronic address: emilie.royaux@ugent.be.
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Royaux
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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Martlé
Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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Kromhout
Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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Van der Vekens
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent, Belgium.
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Broeckx
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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Van Ham
Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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Gielen
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000070614:Nucleus Pulposus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
Canine; Compressive hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion; Contrast enhanced computed tomography; Intervertebral disc disease