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Computed tomographic myelography of a foal with discospondylitis and extradural spinal cord compression due to a vertebral abscess
Author(s) -
Garcia E. B.,
Biller D. S.,
Beard L.,
Bawa B.,
Nuth E.,
Goravanahally M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
equine veterinary education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2042-3292
pISSN - 0957-7734
DOI - 10.1111/eve.12265
Subject(s) - medicine , myelography , foal , spinal cord compression , spinal cord , osteomyelitis , epidural abscess , radiography , abscess , computed tomographic , spinal canal , cord , lesion , anatomy , surgery , radiology , computed tomography , archaeology , psychiatry , history
Summary A one‐month‐old Quarter Horse colt presented with progressive gait abnormalities and weakness. The foal was ataxic at presentation. Radiography identified focal endplate irregularities and lysis at C6 –7. Radiographic diagnosis was discospondylitis. Computed tomographic myelography was performed immediately following euthanasia and identified an extradural compressive spinal cord lesion corresponding to the site of discospondylitis. Post mortem examination findings included abscess formation at the C6 –7 intervertebral space with osteomyelitis extending into the adjacent physes and subchondral bone of caudal C6 and cranial C7 . The vertebral abscess extended into the ventral spinal canal at C6 –7 and was identified as the cause of extradural spinal cord compression. S almonella sp. was cultured and isolated from purulent exudate at the intervertebral space. Computed tomographic myelography has not been previously reported for assessment of discospondylitis in horses and was successful at accurately characterising spinal cord compression in addition to osteolytic changes associated with discospondylitis.