A Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra in the Dog Predisposes to Cauda Equina Syndrome

Flückiger, M; Damur‐Djuric, Natascha; Hässig, Michael; Morgan, Joe P.; Steffen, Frank

doi:10.1111/j.1740-8261.2005.00103.x

Cited by 69 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(25 reference statements)

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“…This may lead to further biomechanical problems, such as compression of nerves and blood vessels (see Varela-Lasheras et al 2011) for a discussion). In dogs and cats, lumbo-sacral transitional vertebrae are associated with an increased incidence of hip dysplasia and cauda-equina syndrome (Morgan et al 1993; Damur-Djuric et al 2006; Fluckiger et al 2006; Shimali et al 2010). In humans, they are associated with an increased incidence of intervertebral disc degeneration, degeneration of the iliolumbar ligament, scoliosis and also a narrowing of the birth canal in women (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evo-Devo of the Human Vertebral Column: On Homeotic Transformations, Pathologies and Prenatal Selection

et al. 2012

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Homeotic transformations of vertebrae are particularly common in humans and tend to come associated with malformations in a wide variety of organ systems. In a dataset of 1,389 deceased human foetuses and infants a majority had cervical ribs and approximately half of these individuals also had missing twelfth ribs or lumbar ribs. In ~10 % of all cases there was an additional shift of the lumbo-sacral boundary and, hence, homeotic transformations resulted in shifts of at least three vertebral boundaries. We found a strong coupling between the abnormality of the vertebral patterns and the amount and strength of associated malformations, i.e., the longer the disturbance of the vertebral patterning has lasted, the more associated malformations have developed and the more organ systems are affected. The germ layer of origin of the malformations was not significantly associated with the frequency of vertebral patterns. In contrast, we find significant associations with the different developmental mechanisms that are involved in the causation of the malformations, that is, segmentation, neural crest development, left-right patterning, etc. Our results, thus, suggest that locally perceived developmental signals are more important for the developmental outcome than the origin of the cells. The low robustness of vertebral A-P patterning apparent from the large number of homeotic transformations is probably caused by the strong interactivity of developmental processes and the low redundancy of involved morphogens during early organogenesis. Additionally, the early irreversibility of the specification of the A-P identity of vertebrae probably adds to the vulnerability of the process by limiting the possibility for recovery from developmental disturbances. The low developmental robustness of vertebral A-P patterning contrasts with a high robustness of the A-P patterning of the vertebral regions. Not only the order is invariable, also the variation in the number of vertebrae per region is small. This robustness is in agreement with the evolutionary stability of vertebral regions in tetrapods. Finally, we propose a new hypothesis regarding the constancy of the presacral number of vertebrae in mammals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evo-Devo of the Human Vertebral Column: On Homeotic Transformations, Pathologies and Prenatal Selection

et al. 2012

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“…The LTV has the characteristics of both spinal segments, although definition varies in veterinary literature (Morgan 1968;Colter 1993;Morgan 1999;Damur-Djuric et al 2006;Westworth and Sturges 2010). It is assumed that the LTV is a predisposing factor for earlier degeneration of lumbosacral junction and it is a risk factor for development of cauda equina syndrome (Lang et al 1992;Morgan et al 1993;Flückiger et al 2006;Moore et al 2001). The asymmetric type of LTV may result in pelvis rotation with a unilateral increase load of the hip and a higher degree of hip dysplasia (Flückiger et al 2009).…”

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confidence: 99%

Prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in dogs in the Czech Republic

et al. 2014

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Lumbosacral transitional vertebra is a common congenital anomaly of the spine in dogs. It is a predisposing factor for degeneration of the lumbosacral spine and development of cauda equina syndrome or hip dysplasia in affected dogs. The aim of the study was to determine breed predisposition, types, and prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in the canine population in the Czech Republic. The value of laterolateral radiographs of the lumbosacral junction in the diagnosis of LTV was also evaluated. Prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae was determined by reviewing ventrodorsal radiographs of pelvis with an extended hip of 1,878 dogs. Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae were detected in 188 dogs (10%). German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute and Bohemian Shepherd were found to be highly predisposed breeds. The most common type of lumbosacral transitional vertebra was type II with separation of the first sacral vertebra from sacrum and presence of rudimentary intervertebral space between S1 and the sacral median crest (37.8% of the lumbosacral transitional vertebrae). Type I was detected in 29.2% and the asymmetric type of the lumbosacral transitional vertebra (type III) in 33%. Laterolateral radiograph of the lumbosacral spine was evaluated in 126 dogs from 188 with lumbosacral transitional vertebrae. Rudimentary intervertebral disc space between S1 and S2 in laterolateral radiographs was detected in 100% of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae with type II and III, and was not detected in type I. The findings on lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in the Czech Republic will extend knowledge about the disease. Both ventrodorsal hip-extended and laterolateral radiographs should be recommended for routine screening and reliable differentiation among the three different types of lumbosacral transitional vertebra.Hip dysplasia, cauda equina syndrome, radiography

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“…The susceptibility of EDH at the level of thoraco-lumbar junction is explained by the large mobility on this region due to the junction between the relatively rigid lumbar and thoracic regions (Hansen, 1952;Bray and Burbidge, 1998). The explanation of EDH occurring in the lumbo-sacral region could be increased or altered mechanical load on the intervertebral disc there (Benninger et al, 2004) or due to vertebral deformities, which are very common at the level of this region (Fluckiger et al, 2006). The higher incidence of EDH at the caudal cervical spine is explained by the relative increase in cord size and the increased mobility of this region at the level of cervical intumescence (Fitch et al, 2000;da Costa, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using geographical information system for spatial evaluation of canine extruded disc herniation

et al. 2014

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Abstract. Disc herniation is one of the most common pathologies of the vertebral column in dogs. The aim of this study was to develop a geographical information system (GIS)-based vertebral canal (VC) map useful for spatial evaluation of extruded disc herniation (EDH) in dogs. ArcGIS ® was used to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional maps, in which the VC surface is divided into polygons by lines representing latitude and longitude. Actual locations and directions of the herniated disc material were assessed by a series of 142 computer tomographies of dogs collected between 2005 and 2013. Most EDHs were located on the cervical and transitional regions (thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-sacral) and shown at the level of the ventro-cranial and ventro-central polygons created. Choropleth maps, highlighting the distribution and the location/direction patterns of the EDHs throughout the VC, were produced based on the frequency of the ailment. GIS proved to be a valuable tool in analysing EDH in dogs. Further studies are required for biomechanical analysis of EDH patterns.

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A Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra in the Dog Predisposes to Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cited by 69 publications

References 15 publications

Evo-Devo of the Human Vertebral Column: On Homeotic Transformations, Pathologies and Prenatal Selection

Evo-Devo of the Human Vertebral Column: On Homeotic Transformations, Pathologies and Prenatal Selection

Prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in dogs in the Czech Republic

Using geographical information system for spatial evaluation of canine extruded disc herniation

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