The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of concurrent measurement of
serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunit (pNF-H) concentration and intramedullary
T2W hyperintensity in paraplegic to paraplegic dogs. Our hypothesis was that concurrent
measurement of these would provide a more accurate prediction of functional outcome in
dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). A prospective case-control
clinical study was designed using 94 dogs with acute onset of thoracolumbar IVDH. The
association of serum pNF-H concentration, T2W hyperintensity on sagittal MRI (T2H/L2),
deep pain perception and surgical outcome were evaluated with logistic regression analysis
after three months for all 94 surgically treated dogs. Sensitivity to predict
non-ambulatory outcome was compared among pNF-H and T2H/L2 and combination of both.
Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum pNF-H concentration and T2H/L2 were
significantly correlated with surgical outcome (P<0.05); however, deep
pain perception was not (P=0.41). The results of logistic regression
analysis indicated that the odds ratios of unsuccessful long-term outcome were 2.6 for
serum pNF-H concentration, 1.9 for T2H/L2 and 2.3 for deep pain sensation. The sensitivity
and specificity to predict non-ambulatory outcome for using serum parameter pNF-H>2.6
ng/ml, using T2H/L2 value of>0.84 and using both
serum pNF-H and T2H/L2, were 95% and 75.7%, 65% and 86.5%, and 90.0% and 97.5%,
respectively. Therefore, combined measurements of serum pNF-H and T2H/L2 might be useful
for predicting long-term outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar IVDH.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.