Magnetic resonance imaging of syringomyelia in five dogs

Abstract

This report describes the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in five dogs to diagnose spontaneous syringomyelia. Four of the dogs had cervical syringomyelia associated with hydrocephalus, and one of these cases was analogous to the Dandy‐Walker syndrome in humans. The fifth dog had thoracic syringomyelia without hydrocephalus. It was possible to diagnose the condition antemortem in all of the dogs by MRI. It is suggested that MRI is a straightforward and effective tool for the antemortem diagnosis of syringomyelia in dogs.

Hydrocephalus and Syringomyelia in a Cat.

“…Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are commonly used to divert the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the ventricles of the brain to the peritoneal cavity in human neurosurgery [11], and have proved to be an effective surgical treatment for hydrocephalus in dogs [15] and cats [23]. Several investigators [12,15,16,24] in the veterinary field have suggested magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be a useful technique for the antemortem diagnosis of several cranial and spinal disorders in animals. This article describes the clinical findings in, and management of, a cat with hydrocephalus and syringomyelia, together with temporal changes in MR images obtained before and after the insertion of a VP shunt.…”

“…Syringomyelia has been defined as fluid-filled cavities in the substance of the spinal cord, with destruction of the nervous tissue [19]. Its cause is unknown, but it may be associated with or result from hydrocephalus [16,24]. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are commonly used to divert the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the ventricles of the brain to the peritoneal cavity in human neurosurgery [11], and have proved to be an effective surgical treatment for hydrocephalus in dogs [15] and cats [23].…”

“…However, in this case, MRI supplied more detailed information than ultrasonography throughout the clinical course, especially after the cat's skull had become completely ossified. Taga et al [24] found MRI to be effective in diagnosing syringomyelia in dogs, while other types of examination were invasive and were not usually definitive. In our case, serial changes in the cerebrum and spinal cord were detectable by MRI.…”

Diagnosis of cerebral ventriculomegaly in felines using 0.25 Tesla and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging

“…Hydrocephalus and hydranencephaly have been found to occur concurrently with parvovirus infection (Tani et al 2001;Keating et al 2016). Taga et al (2000) reported acquired hydrocephalus and hydromyelia in a cat with FIP. Tani et al (2001) described a cat with hydrocephalus and syringomyelia, which tested positive for the parvovirus antigen but negative for FIP antibodies.…”

Pathological findings in low-field magnetic resonance imaging of the canine spine – a study of 112 patients

“…Syringomyelias include cavernous dilation of spinal cord parenchyma that does not communicate with the central canal and is not directly localized in the canal (Taga et al 2000). In T1-weighted sequences, ventricular widening and spinal cord cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid were characterized by low signal intensity (Fig.…”