Follow-up MRI appearance of the surgical site in dogs treated for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation and showing ongoing or recurrent neurological symptoms.

Authors
Peschard, Anne-Lorraine  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4904-9265
Freeman, Paul 

Change log
Abstract

Reherniation and reoperation rates of 4.5%-36% are reported in canine patients treated for intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). Decision-making for surgical reintervention can prove challenging, especially since common postoperative changes are poorly described on MRI. The purpose of this single-center, retrospective, descriptive study was to describe the MRI characteristics of the surgical site in dogs treated for thoracolumbar IVDH and presenting for ongoing or recurrent neurological signs. Twenty-one patients were included for a total of 42 MRI studies. Chondrodystrophic breeds, specifically Dachshunds, were overrepresented. Mean number of days between surgery and second MRI was 335 (range 2-1367). Metallic susceptibility artifacts were seen in seven of 21 cases (33%), but these were limited in extent, spanning on average 1.3 vertebral bodies. In 11 cases, spinal cord compression suspected to be clinically significant was found at the surgical site; the extradural compressive material consisted of intervertebral disc material only, or a combination of intervertebral disc material and hematoma or inflammatory changes in 10 cases, and a displaced articular process and fibrous tissue in one case. The latter is a newly described complication of mini-hemilaminectomies. Paravertebral soft tissue changes and vertebral new bone formation varied according to the postoperative stage at which the patients were imaged. The results of this study supported the use of MRI as a diagnostic modality for spinal imaging following IVDH surgery, and showed that the presence of extradural disc material at a spinal surgical site is common along with various vertebral and paravertebral changes.

Publication Date
2023-01
Online Publication Date
2022-08-12
Acceptance Date
2022-05-20
Keywords
canine, extrusion, hemilaminectomy, imaging, postoperative, Dogs, Animals, Intervertebral Disc Displacement, Retrospective Studies, Follow-Up Studies, Dog Diseases, Intervertebral Disc, Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Journal Title
Vet Radiol Ultrasound
Journal ISSN
1058-8183
1740-8261
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Sponsorship
No source of funding