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SUBCLINICAL CT ABNORMALITIES IN THE LUMBOSACRAL SPINE OF OLDER LARGE‐BREED DOGS
Author(s) -
Jones Jeryl C.,
Inzana Karen D.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
veterinary radiology and ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.541
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1740-8261
pISSN - 1058-8183
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2000.tb00421.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lumbosacral joint , anatomy , foramen , subluxation , ossification , spinal stenosis , spinal canal stenosis , myelography , spinal canal , spinal cord , lumbar , pathology , alternative medicine , psychiatry
Computed tomography (CT) of the L5‐S3 vertebral levels was performed in six, large‐breed dogs presented for problems unrelated to the lumbosacral spine. All dogs were asymptomatic for lumbosacral stenosis on neurologic examination. Breeds included German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Boxer‐mix and Belgian Malinois. Ages ranged from 5–12 years. Five out of six dogs exhibited CT abnormalities. Among the 18 disc levels examined, the most common findings were idiopathic stenosis, loss of vertebral canal epidural fat, and nerve tissue displacement. Less common abnormalities were vertebral canal or foraminal bone proliferation, loss of intervertebral foramen fat, vertebral canal disc bulging, degenerative articular process joint disease, transitional vertebra, dural ossification, foraminal disc bulging, Schmorl's nodes, calcified extruded disc fragment, and sacroiliac joint osteophytes. Vertebral subluxation was absent in all dogs. Findings indicate that some lumbosacral CT abnormalities may be clinically insignificant, especially in older dogs.