Contrast-enhanced CT for localizing compressive thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Comparative Medicine

Background:

• Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion is a prevalent condition in dogs, frequently necessitating surgical spinal cord decompression.
• Accurate localization of the extruded disc material is paramount for successful surgical intervention.
• Traditional myelography, while effective, poses risks of complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast medium versus CT myelography in identifying extruded intervertebral discs in dogs.
• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive CT techniques for surgical planning in canine spinal disease.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study evaluating two CT-based imaging modalities for canine thoracolumbar disc extrusion.
• Inclusion of CT with intravenous contrast and CT myelography as diagnostic tools.
• Assessment of the ability of each method to determine the level and laterality of disc extrusions.

Main Results:

• Computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast medium demonstrated comparable effectiveness to CT myelography.
• Both imaging techniques accurately identified the level and laterality of compressive thoracolumbar disc extrusions.
• CT with intravenous contrast offers a viable alternative to myelography for localization.

Conclusions:

• Computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast is a reliable and effective method for localizing thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusions in dogs.
• This technique provides diagnostic information equivalent to CT myelography, potentially reducing procedural risks.
• CT with intravenous contrast serves as a valuable tool for surgical planning in canine spinal cord compression cases.