Case report: Surgical treatment and long-term successful outcome of a spinal intramedullary vascular malformation in a dog

Abstract

A 3.5-year-old male intact Staffordshire terrier crossbreed dog was presented with a one-week history of progressive paraparesis with fecal and urinary incontinence. Neurological examination was consistent with a T3-L3 myelopathy. A magnetic resonance imaging study revealed the presence of a well-circumscribed hemorrhagic space-occupying lesion at the level of T12, suspected to be a vascular malformation, such as cavernoma or arteriovenous fistula, primary hematoma or hamartoma; less likely considerations included hemorrhagic inflammation or hemorrhagic primary or secondary neoplasia. A dorsal laminectomy, durotomy, and midline dorsal myelotomy were performed with a surgical microscope, and the vascular lesion was identified and removed. Histological examination of surgical samples yielded fibrin, hemorrhage, hematoidin pigment, and some neural tissue. Although a lining wall was visualized during surgery consistent with a vascular malformation, there was no histological confirmation of such a structure, hampering definitive classification of the lesion. There was no gross or histopathological evidence that would support a diagnosis of a hamartoma or benign neoplasia. The dog was paraplegic with intact nociception the day following surgery. Ambulation was recovered within 2 weeks. Progressive and complete recovery of neurological function was seen over the next 12 weeks. No recurrence of neurological dysfunction was seen over a 12-month follow-up period. Surgical treatment should be considered in dogs with spinal intramedullary vascular lesions which can have a successful long-term outcome.

‘We have ‘Tinder’ tools to solve the health issues caused by pedigree dog breeding’

“…The high levels of inbreeding in our dogs have led to disease and suffering for too long. For example, the life expectancy of French bulldogs is now only 4.5 years 2 ; researchers have said that, from a health perspective, the pug can no longer be regarded a typical dog; a recent study revealed that 23.5 per cent of Pomeranians have syringomyelia 3 ; and in Norway 12.6 per cent of Gordon setters lose all their claws 4 . These examples represent unnecessary suffering.…”