What Is Your Neurologic Diagnosis?

Vigeral, Mariana; Thomovsky, Stephanie A.; Lim, Chee Kin; Bentley, R. Timothy

doi:10.2460/javma.253.9.1117

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 5 publications

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“…We also noted new bone formation and vertebral body shortening. We speculate that these changes, as previously described in humans and animals, 15,[24][25][26] can relate to chronic changes and lack of early recognition of clinical signs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Spinal decompression and stabilisation in a cat with lumbar vertebral pathological fracture and subluxation, following discospondylitis and spinal epidural empyema

Proteasa¹,

Walton

Carrera³

et al. 2023

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports

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Case series summary A 1-year-old castrated male Maine Coon cat was referred because of a 1-week history of progressive spastic non-ambulatory paraparesis. An MRI examination of the thoracolumbar spine showed multiple lytic lesions, with the most aggressive one centred on the adjacent endplates of L1–L2 and its associated disc. Ventral new bone formation, L1 vertebral body shortening and mild dorsal displacement of the caudal aspect of L1 were noted. Contrast enhancement of both paravertebral soft tissue and extradural lesion was present. These findings were compatible with L1–L2 discospondylitis (DS), spinal epidural empyema (SEE), with secondary L1 pathological vertebral fracture, subluxation and spinal cord compression. CT of the thoracolumbar spine, abdomen and thorax confirmed these findings. The patient deteriorated to paraplegia with absent nociception, despite initial medical therapy. A right-sided L1–L2 hemilaminectomy and spinal decompression were then performed, followed by application of a unilateral construct comprising four smooth arthrodesis wires and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). S taphylococcus aureus was isolated from both epidural material, intraoperatively sampled and blood culture. Antibiotic therapy was continued for 6 weeks, based on susceptibility results. The outcome was excellent, with a gradual improvement and complete neurological recovery at the 8-week postoperative check. Repeated spinal radiographs showed an intact apparatus and marked signs of vertebral fusion. At the 14-month follow-up examination, the cat remained free of clinical signs. Relevance and novel information To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of SEE and DS in a cat that required surgical stabilisation. The outcome was still optimal, despite the rapid neurological deterioration.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%