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Spinal subarachnoid cysts in 13 dogs.
Kirsten Gnirs1, Yannick Ruel, Stephane Blot
1Unité Médico-chirurgicale de Neurologie, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon, F-69 Marcy-l'Etoile.
Summary
Spinal cord dysfunction in young Rottweilers may stem from adhesions, not cysts. These adhesions cause subarachnoid space enlargement and spinal cord compression, suggesting a potential inherited cause.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Comparative Pathology
- Canine Spinal Diseases
Background:
- Subarachnoid space enlargement is observed in dogs with spinal cord dysfunction.
- Rottweilers and young dogs are frequently affected, suggesting a potential genetic predisposition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize spinal cord lesions in dogs with subarachnoid space enlargement.
- To investigate the pathogenesis of these lesions and their role in spinal cord dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Myelography, computed tomography (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow measurement (velocimetry) were employed.
- Explorative surgical procedures and histopathologic examinations were performed on affected dogs.
- Clinical follow-up assessments were conducted postoperatively.
Main Results:
- Lesions were predominantly dorsal and in the cranial cervical area.
- MRI indicated spinal cord deviation and ventral leptomeningeal adhesion.
- Surgical findings confirmed leptomeninges-induced ventral adhesion in most cases.
- Full recovery was observed in 8 out of 13 dogs postoperatively.
Conclusions:
- Spinal cord compression may be caused by adhesions rather than cysts.
- Leptomeningeal adhesion, potentially from microtrauma and inflammation, leads to subarachnoid space enlargement and spinal cord dysfunction.
- The breed and age predilection suggest an inherited etiology for this condition.