Lumbar myelography in 79 dogs, using different puncture sites

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Canine Spinal Disease

Background:

• Lumbar myelography is a key diagnostic technique for canine neurological disorders.
• Accurate needle placement is crucial for successful myelography.
• Understanding optimal puncture sites can improve diagnostic yield.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lumbar myelography in dogs.
• To determine the optimal puncture site for lumbar myelography in dogs of different sizes.
• To identify factors affecting myelogram success and diagnostic accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-nine dogs underwent lumbar myelography before spinal surgery or for neurological disease investigation.
• Puncture sites were differentiated based on dog size: L1-L5 for small dogs, T13-L2 for large dogs.
• Procedure success and diagnostic findings were recorded.

Main Results:

• A lumbar puncture cranial to the lumbar intumescence was easier and complication-free.
• Myelography was unsuccessful in three obese dogs.
• Seventy-two percent of myelograms revealed a lesion; epidural leakage was the primary cause of non-diagnostic results.

Conclusions:

• Lumbar myelography is an effective diagnostic method for canine spinal diseases.
• Puncturing cranial to the lumbar intumescence is recommended for improved success rates.
• Careful technique and consideration of patient factors like obesity are important for optimal outcomes.