Usefulness of computed tomography after myelography for surgery on dogs with cervical intervertebral disc protrusion

Computed tomography after myelography (CTM) was performed pre- and postoperatively on four dogs diagnosed as having cervical intervertebral disc protrusion. The surgery was performed by ventral slot technique in all the cases. The direction of the ventral slot was precisely adjusted according to the location of the protruded discs as seen on CTM. Postoperative values for the transversal area of the spinal cord were greater than those measured preoperatively, suggesting effective decompression of the cord. The prognosis for these patients was excellent. In view of these results, it was considered that preoperative confirmation of the positional relationship between the spinal cord and the protruded disc by CTM was quite useful in planning the surgical technique for disc disease in the dog.