What Is Your Diagnosis?

Hill, Myfanwy F; Warren-Smith, Chris; Granger, Nicolas

doi:10.2460/javma.247.7.743

Cited by 4 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…As no extensive literature is available for MRI features of feline discospondylitis, an MRI diagnosis was based on previously reported imaging characteris tics of discospondylitis in a single feline case report and in two case series of affected dogs. 4,6,12 An MRI diagnosis of discospondylitis was considered when conformation or signal intensity of an intervertebral disc space (IVDS) differed, when compared with their adjacent counter parts. The finding of adjacent vertebral endplates with an abnormal conformation or signal intensity also sup ported the presence of a discospondylitis.…”

Section: Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MRI features MRI features were assessed, with selection of these features being based on reports on canine disco spondylitis and a single feline report. 4,6,12 The IVDS, nucleus pulposus, adjacent endplates, vertebral bodies, overlying epidural space, overlying meninges, paraspi nal soft tissues and distal colon were all assessed. The MRI features assessed are described in Table 1.…”

Section: Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3,4,6 However, literature describing disco spondylitis in cats is sparse, with six individual case reports and two cats being mentioned in a series of feline patients with spinal cord disease. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Discospondylitis appears to be a rare condition in cats, more commonly identified in male cats, mainly at the level of the lumbar spine. [7][8][9][10][11][12] Prognosis appears guarded, as 4/6 reported cases died (one case) or were euthanased (three cases) following diagnosis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Discospondylitis appears to be a rare condition in cats, more commonly identified in male cats, mainly at the level of the lumbar spine. [7][8][9][10][11][12] Prognosis appears guarded, as 4/6 reported cases died (one case) or were euthanased (three cases) following diagnosis. Reported imaging investigations included vertebral radiographs in every case with addi tional CT or MRI in single cases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reported imaging investigations included vertebral radiographs in every case with addi tional CT or MRI in single cases. 7,12 Discospondylitis in dogs can be challenging to diag nose as signs are variable and sometimes vague. Com monly described clinical signs include spinal hyper aesthesia, lethargy, reluctance to move, pyrexia, anorexia and weight loss.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Imaging features of discospondylitis in cats

Gomes¹,

Behr

Garosi³

et al. 2019

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

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Objectives This study describes the imaging features of feline discospondylitis on MRI, comparing them with CT and radiographic findings where available. Methods The medical records of cats diagnosed with discospondylitis, presented to three referring institutions, were reviewed. MRI, CT and radiographic features were assessed by two of the authors independently. Results Fourteen sites of discospondylitis were retrospectively identified in 13 cats. The L7–S1 intervertebral disc space (IVDS) was affected in 7/14 (50%) cases. Characteristic MRI features included a hyperintense nucleus pulposus signal on T2-weighted (T2W) imaging (n = 10/14 [71%]) and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) imaging (n = 11/13 [85%]), with contrast enhancement in all (n = 11/11); involvement of adjacent vertebral endplates (n = 11/14 [79%]) and hyperintense neighbouring soft tissue on T2W (n = 11/14 [79%]) and STIR (n = 10/13 [77%]), with contrast enhancement in all (n = 11/11); and the presence of spondylosis deformans (n = 10/14 [71%]). Other features included narrowed or collapsed IVDS (n = 8/14 [57%]), contrast enhancement of vertebral bodies (n = 5/11 [46%]), epidural space involvement (n = 5/14 [36%]), compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots (n = 5/14 [36%]), paraspinal abscessation (n = 3/14 [21%]) and meningeal signal intensity abnormalities with contrast enhancement (n = 5/6 [83%]). These latter findings may indicate secondary focal meningitis. Radiographs were available covering five sites (in four cats) and CT covering three sites (in two cats). The most common radiological features were collapse or narrowing of the affected IVDS (80%) and endplate erosion (60%). No changes suggestive of discospondylitis were identifiable on radiography or CT in two sites (one cat), despite being identifiable on MRI. Repeated radiography in one case did not reveal complete radiological resolution following 9 months of treatment. Conclusions and relevance The results of this study indicate consistent MRI features of feline discospondylitis that should be considered in the diagnosis of this condition.

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Section: Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Imaging features of discospondylitis in cats

Gomes¹,

Behr

Garosi³

et al. 2019

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

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Diagnostic Imaging of Discospondylitis

Ruoff

Kerwin

Taylor

2018

Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice

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Clinical features, treatment and outcome of discospondylitis in cats

Gomes¹,

Garosi

Behr

et al. 2021

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

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Objectives There is a paucity of information on feline discospondylitis. This study aimed to describe the signalment, clinical and laboratory findings, aetiological agents, treatment and outcome in cats affected by discospondylitis. Methods This was a retrospective review of the medical records of cats diagnosed with discospondylitis at four referral institutions. Results A total of 17 cats were identified. Most were domestic shorthair cats (76.5%) and male (58.8%), with a median age of 9 years (range 0.9–14) and a median duration of clinical signs of 3 weeks (range 0.3–16). All cats presented with spinal hyperaesthesia; 3/17 had pyrexia. Neurological dysfunction was found in 64.7% of cats, which was indicative of a T3–L3 or L4–S2 spinal segment, associated nerve root or associated nerve neurolocalisation. Haematology, serum biochemistry and urinalysis revealed occasional inconsistent non-specific changes. All cats underwent urine culture; 9/17 cats also had a distinct tissue cultured. Positive bacterial cultures were obtained in two cats (11.8%) for Staphylococcus species (urine, blood and intradiscal fine-needle aspirate) and Escherichia coli (urine); both presented with multifocal discospondylitis. Treatment was non-surgical in all cats, with sustained antibiotic therapy for a median of 3 months (range 1–9). Analgesia provided included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alone or in combination with gabapentin. Restricted exercise was advised for a minimum of 4 weeks. Outcome information available in 12 cats was excellent in terms of pain control and neurological function in 10 cats (83.3%) at the time of stopping antibiotics. Recurrence occurred in one case, which had received a single antibiotic for 6 weeks, and relapsed 4 months after presentation. One other case failed to improve and was euthanased during the course of hospitalisation. Conclusions and relevance Feline discospondylitis is uncommon and no obvious signalment predisposition was found in this study. Spinal hyperaesthesia was universally present, with neurological dysfunction also highly prevalent. Bacterial culture was unrewarding in most cases. Amoxicillin–clavulanic acid or cephalosporins are reasonable choices for first-line antibiotics. Prognosis was favourable, with no long-term evidence of recurrence in cats on sustained antibiotic therapy, for a mean duration of 3 months.

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What Is Your Diagnosis?

Cited by 4 publications

References 6 publications

Imaging features of discospondylitis in cats

Imaging features of discospondylitis in cats

Diagnostic Imaging of Discospondylitis

Clinical features, treatment and outcome of discospondylitis in cats

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