Ischemic Myelomalacia Associated with Fibrocartilaginous Embolism in Multiple Finishing Swine

Benson, James E.; Schwartz, Kent

doi:10.1177/104063879801000308

Cited by 15 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…This condition has been well characterized in animals, especially dogs [78,79], but also in cats [80,81], horses [82], swine [83], and turkeys [84]. The first human condition was described in a 15-year-old male in 1961; nucleus pulposis emboli were found within the spinal cord arteries at autopsy [85].…”

Section: Causes Of Spinal Cord Infarction In Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ischemic Spinal Cord Infarction in Children Without Vertebral Fracture

Nance

Golomb

2007

Pediatric Neurology

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Spinal cord infarction in children is a rare condition which is becoming more widely recognized. There are few reports in the pediatric literature characterizing etiology, diagnosis, treament and prognosis. The risk factors for pediatric ischemic spinal cord infarction include obstruction of blood flow associated with cardiovascular compromise or malformation, iatrogenic or traumatic vascular inujury, cerebellar herniation, thrombotic or embolic disease, infection, and vasculitis. In many children the cause of spinal cord ischemia in the absence of vertebral fracture is unknown. Imaging diagnosis of spinal cord ischemia is often difficult due to the small transverse area of the cord, cerebrospinal fluid artifact and inadequate resolution of MRI. Physical therapy is the most important treatment option. The prognosis is dependent on the level of spinal cord damage, early identification and reversal of ischemia, and follow-up with intensive physical therapy and medical support. In addition to summarizing the literature regarding spinal cord infarction in children without vertebral fracture, this review article adds two cases to the literature which highlight the difficulties and controversies in the management of this condition.

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Section: Causes Of Spinal Cord Infarction In Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ischemic Spinal Cord Infarction in Children Without Vertebral Fracture

Nance

Golomb

2007

Pediatric Neurology

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“…[4][5][6]9,10,[14][15][16] In a recent report, there was a high incidence of rear limb paresis/paralysis in a large group of finishing pigs caused by ischemic myelomalacia due to fibrocartilage emboli in the spinal cord. 3 However, no factors were identified in the affected pigs that predisposed them to development of cartilage emboli. In this follow-up report to that case, we describe an additional group of finishing pigs with ischemic myelomalacia caused by cartilage emboli.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…3 These swine were from a high-lean, heavily muscled genetic line that had a rapid growth rate, and they were extremely large (127 kg) when transported. Nine of these paralyzed swine were submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU-VDL) for necropsy.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Ischemic Myelomalacia Due to Cartilage Emboli Associated with Chronic Diskospondylitis in a Group of Swine

Haynes

Benson

1999

J VET Diagn Invest

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Rear limb paralysis in market age swine occurs sporadically and can be attributed to a variety of causes, including fractures, spinal abscesses, and ischemic myelomalacia due to cartilage (fibrocartilage) emboli from the nucleus pulposus. 11,16 Cartilage emboli resulting in ischemic myelomalacia have been reported in several species, most commonly in adult large-and giant-breed dogs and rarely in swine. [4][5][6]9,10,[14][15][16] In a recent report, there was a high incidence of rear limb paresis/paralysis in a large group of finishing pigs caused by ischemic myelomalacia due to fibrocartilage emboli in the spinal cord. 3 However, no factors were identified in the affected pigs that predisposed them to development of cartilage emboli. In this follow-up report to that case, we describe an additional group of finishing pigs with ischemic myelomalacia caused by cartilage emboli. These pigs also had chronic diskospondylitis.Market weight swine in a production unit with approximately 1,800 grow-finish swine developed a high incidence of acute rear limb paralysis following transportation to market (25/1,800 swine affected). 3 These swine were from a high-lean, heavily muscled genetic line that had a rapid growth rate, and they were extremely large (127 kg) when transported. Nine of these paralyzed swine were submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU-VDL) for necropsy. All 9 of these swine had ischemic myelomalacia associated with cartilage emboli in spinal cord vessels. However, abnormalities in the spine were not detected, and a predisposing cause for the cartilage emboli was not discovered. Several weeks later, acute rear limb paralysis developed in several market weight swine in additional groups (500 swine/group) from the same production unit. The circumstances of this episode were similar to those of the previous episode of paralysis, occurring after transportation to market. Five paralyzed swine were submitted to the ISU-VDL for necropsy and complete examination of the spinal cord and spine. The spinal cords were removed following dorsal laminectomy, and the spines were sectioned longitudinally with a bandsaw in a dorsoventral vertical plane. Sections of vertebrae, intervertebral disks, and the entire spinal cords from all 5 pigs were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Vertebrae were demineralized in a 25% aqueous solution of formic acid, and all tissues were embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 m, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Replicate sections were stained with Alcian blue at pH 2.5 to identify fragments of nucleus pulposus.From the Department of Veterinary Pathology and the Veterinary

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“…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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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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Ischemic Myelomalacia Associated with Fibrocartilaginous Embolism in Multiple Finishing Swine

Cited by 15 publications

References 6 publications

Ischemic Spinal Cord Infarction in Children Without Vertebral Fracture

Ischemic Spinal Cord Infarction in Children Without Vertebral Fracture

Ischemic Myelomalacia Due to Cartilage Emboli Associated with Chronic Diskospondylitis in a Group of Swine

Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in a Calf

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