Computed tomography features of discospondylitis in dogs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Canine Pathology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly available for diagnosing canine diseases.
• Detailed CT findings for canine discospondylitis remain under-described.
• This study aims to fill that knowledge gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the computed tomography (CT) features of canine discospondylitis.
• To correlate CT findings with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnoses.
• To enhance the diagnostic utility of CT for discospondylitis in dogs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 41 dogs with MRI-confirmed discospondylitis.
• Evaluation of CT images for changes in the intervertebral disc space (IVDS), endplates, vertebral bodies, epidural space, and paraspinal tissues.
• Descriptive analysis of imaging features across multiple planes.

Main Results:

• Bilateral endplate involvement (87.3%) with erosion and osteolysis was most common.
• Periosteal proliferation (73%) and spondylosis (66.7%) adjacent to the IVDS were frequent findings.
• Vertebral body involvement (66.7%) with multifocal osteolysis was also prevalent.

Conclusions:

• Bilateral endplate erosion and periosteal proliferation are key CT indicators of canine discospondylitis.
• Thorough CT evaluation in all three planes is crucial for identifying affected intervertebral disc spaces (IVDS).
• CT findings are valuable for diagnosis, but MRI may be necessary for equivocal cases.