Fibrocartilaginous embolism in the dog

Dyce, Jonathan; Houlton, J. E. F.

doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.1993.tb02706.x

Cited by 28 publications

(49 citation statements)

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“…One final suggested mechanism is extrusion of disk material into anomalous or persistent embryonic vasculature of the annulus fibrosis. 3,5,12 Because this case involved a young animal with no evidence of disk disease or vascular trauma, this may be the most plausible mechanism for this calf, although no anomalous or persistent embryonic vasculature was found at necropsy.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) of the spinal cord, or rarely the brain stem, is a relatively uncommon cause of acute, nonprogressive neurological dysfunction that has been previously described in humans, 15 dogs, 2,3,5,7,11 pigs, 1,8,10,14 horses, 6,13 cats, 2,16 and a lamb. 9 Spinal cord injury results from occlusion of the vasculature (arteries, veins, or a combination of both) within the cord parenchyma or the adjacent leptomeninges by masses of fibrocartilaginous material histochemically identical to fibrocartilage of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disk.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…[3][4][5]12 Several possible mechanisms have been proposed to explain both arterial and venous embolism in the various affected species. One suggested route of passage is dissection of the semifluid nucleus pulposus through a degenerating dorsal annulus fibrosis to exposed neovasculature.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Schmorl's nodules have not been documented in any veterinary cases of FCE. 3,5,12 Because of the absence of gross lesions, however, neither intervertebral disks nor vertebrae were examined microscopically in this case. One final suggested mechanism is extrusion of disk material into anomalous or persistent embryonic vasculature of the annulus fibrosis.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Cases commonly involve large to giant breed, middle-aged dogs that are predisposed to type II intervertebral disk disease where neovascularization of a diseased annulus could be expected. 3,5,12 Other hypotheses include direct penetration of spinal arteries or veins after rupture of the nucleus pulposus through the dorsal or dorsolateral annulus fibrosis and herniation of disk material through the vertebral end plate into the marrow cavity. In humans, such herniations are recognized as Schmorl's nodules.…”

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Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in a Calf

2004

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Abstract.A 5-month-old Angus heifer with a history of acute hindlimb paresis that quickly progressed to lateral recumbency was necropsied. Gross lesions included a 6-cm segment of gray to brown discoloration and softening of the right ventrolateral spinal cord between T2 and T3. Microscopically, there was liquefactive necrosis of ventrolateral white and gray matter, and multiple intravascular emboli partially or completely occluded many intralesional and adjacent spinal and meningeal arteries and veins. Emboli were alcian blue positive, consistent with fibrocartilage of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disk. No gross abnormalities were detected in the vertebrae or intervertebral disks. Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy appears to be very rare in cattle; however, it should be considered in cases of acute, nonprogressive spinal cord dysfunction. Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) of the spinal cord, or rarely the brain stem, is a relatively uncommon cause of acute, nonprogressive neurological dysfunction that has been previously described in humans, 15 dogs, 2,3,5,7,11 pigs, 1,8,10,14 horses, 6,13 cats, 2,16 and a lamb. 9 Spinal cord injury results from occlusion of the vasculature (arteries, veins, or a combination of both) within the cord parenchyma or the adjacent leptomeninges by masses of fibrocartilaginous material histochemically identical to fibrocartilage of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disk. Consequent ischemia of dependent regions of spinal cord produces clinical signs with distribution and severity referable to the site and extent of infarction. Definitive diagnosis is reliant on histologic demonstration of intravascular fibrocartilaginous emboli and necrosis of associated spinal cord segments. Clinically, acute to subacute, nonprogressive, focal spinal cord dysfunction in the absence of hyperpathia is suggestive of fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy. 4,7,8 The following is a case report of fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in a bovine.A 5-month-old Angus heifer calf was presented to the ambulatory service of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), Blacksburg, Virginia, with a history of being acutely down. The calf was found in lateral recumbency and was unable to rise with assistance. Once positioned, the calf could remain in sternal recumbency. The calf was admitted to the VMTH the following day for complete neurologic examination. On presentation, the calf was tetraparetic to the point of recumbency but was bright, alert, and responsive. Cranial nerve responses were within normal limits. Patellar reflexes were intact and normal bilaterally. Withdrawal responses were normal in the right hindlimb and both forelimbs and decreased in the left hindlimb; however, the heifer had been in left lateral recumbency for at least several hours before neurological evaluation. Tail and anal tone were within normal limits. No localized pain was identified. The panniculus reflex was absent caudal to T3/T4. Cervical r...

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confidence: 99%