Imaging features of discospondylitis in cats

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Comparative Imaging
• Feline Medicine

Background:

• Discospondylitis, an infection of the intervertebral disc space and adjacent vertebral bodies, can cause significant pain and neurological deficits in cats.
• Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and management of feline discospondylitis.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers detailed soft tissue contrast, potentially providing superior visualization of discospondylitis compared to radiography or computed tomography (CT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and characterize the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of feline discospondylitis.
• To compare MRI findings with computed tomography (CT) and radiographic assessments where available.
• To establish a comprehensive understanding of imaging findings for improved diagnosis of discospondylitis in cats.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records from 13 cats diagnosed with discospondylitis across three institutions.
• Independent assessment of MRI, CT, and radiographic features by two experienced authors.
• Analysis of 14 affected intervertebral disc spaces (IVDS) for characteristic imaging abnormalities.

Main Results:

• Characteristic MRI findings included hyperintense nucleus pulposus signal on T2-weighted (T2W) and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) imaging, with contrast enhancement.
• Involvement of adjacent vertebral endplates and surrounding soft tissues, often with contrast enhancement, was frequently observed.
• MRI identified discospondylitis in cases where radiography and CT showed no suggestive changes, underscoring its diagnostic sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Consistent and characteristic MRI features of feline discospondylitis have been identified.
• MRI is a valuable tool for diagnosing discospondylitis in cats, often providing more definitive findings than radiography or CT.
• These findings should be considered by veterinarians when diagnosing spinal infections in feline patients.