Clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of diskospondylitis in dogs: 23 cases (1997–2010)

Abstract

Results suggested that diskospondylitis in dogs has a characteristic MRI appearance, and in some patients, MRI may aid in the identification of severe spinal cord compression, which could warrant surgical intervention.

Imaging characteristics of disseminatedGeosmithia argillaceacausing severe diskospondylitis and meningoencephalomyelitis in a dog

“…MR imaging has been used to describe diskospondylitis previously in both humans and dogs 15 . This dog displayed the typical findings previously described, with hypointense vertebral bodies and mixed signal vertebral end plates on T2-W images 15 .…”

“…MR imaging has been used to describe diskospondylitis previously in both humans and dogs 15 . This dog displayed the typical findings previously described, with hypointense vertebral bodies and mixed signal vertebral end plates on T2-W images 15 . Due to the postmortem nature of the patient in this case report, contrast was not utilized, though contrast enhancement of vertebral bodies and paravertebral tissues has been previously reported in diskospondylitis cases 15 .…”

“…Diskospondylititis is one of the many infections of the vertebral spinal column including vertebral physitis, spondylitis, and diskitis, and refers to a primary infection of the cartilaginous vertebral end plates with secondary involvement of the intervertebral disk . It is a relatively uncommon disease with nonspecific clinical signs that include malaise, neurologic deficits, and vertebral hyperesthesia or pain .…”

Accuracy of Placement of Pedicle Screws in the Lumbosacral Region of Dogs Using 3D-Printed Patient-Specific Drill Guides

“…8,9 Clinical signs are often non-specific but can include pain, pyrexia, lethargy, a stilted gait and in some cases paresis or plegia. 5,10 Surgical management of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis and lumbosacral discospondylitis is generally recommended in cases where the medical management fails, neurological deficits are present and when there is a suspicion of vertebral instability. 5,11 Despite this we still do not have evidence-based recommendation for management of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis.…”

Discospondylitis in a cat

“…Another shortcoming of this work is the use of low-field MRI 0.2T. Comparing the visual image of disсospondylitis in this cat (radiography, CT, MRI) with that described in dogs [12,13], the authors did not detect any difference. The fact that the specimen contained lymphocytes and plasmocytes, as well as the absence of histologic signs of bacterial and fungal growth in the tissues of the intervertebral disc, endplates and blood, suggest that this case of disсospondylitis was caused by sterile lymphocytic/plasmocytic inflammation.…”