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Vertebral stabilisation and selective decompression for the management of triple thoracolumbar disc protrusions
Author(s) -
McKee W. M.,
Downes C. J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2008.00582.x
Subject(s) - medicine , decompression , surgery , spinal cord compression , ataxia , magnetic resonance imaging , disc protrusion , spinal canal , intervertebral disc , spinal cord , spinal decompression , thoracic vertebrae , spinal canal stenosis , fixation (population genetics) , anatomy , lumbar vertebrae , radiology , lumbar , population , environmental health , psychiatry
Triple adjacent thoracolumbar disc protrusions causing moderate to severe spinal cord compression were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging in two German shepherd dogs with marked paraparesis and pelvic limb ataxia. Both cases were managed by selective hemilaminectomy, partial annulectomy and bilateral quadruple vertebral body stabilisation using novel canine locking fixation plates (SOP). The stabilisation of multiple vertebrae in the thoracolumbar spine was possible because the plates could be contoured with six degrees of freedom. Spinal pain resolved and neurological function improved in both dogs. Screw breakage was evident in one dog five months following surgery.