Epidurography as a Diagnostic Aid in Canine Lumbosacral Compressive Disease: 47 Cases(1981–1986)

Barbara A. Selcer; J. N. Chambers; K. Schwensen; M. B. Mahaffey

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1633172

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1988; 01(02): 97-103
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1633172

Short Communication

Schattauer GmbH

Epidurography as a Diagnostic Aid in Canine Lumbosacral Compressive Disease: 47 Cases(1981–1986)

Barbara A. Selcer

^*From the Departments of Anatomy and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.

,

J. N. Chambers

^***From the Departments of Anatomy and Radiology and Small Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.

,

K. Schwensen

^*From the Departments of Anatomy and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.

,

M. B. Mahaffey

^*From the Departments of Anatomy and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Epidurograms were performed on 47 dogs with clinical signs consistent with lumbosacral compressive disease. Thirtyeight abnormal epidurograms were identified. Epidurograms were considered abnormal when complete obstruction of cranial forward flow or dorsal deviation over the lumbosacral junction were present. Dorsal laminectomies were performed on 28 dogs with abnormal epidurographic findings. Surgical findings included: disc herniation (17), connective tissue nerve root entrapment (5), fibrous connective tissue mass (3), no abnormality (2), and instability (1). The strong correlation between abnormal epidurographic signs and compressive lumbosacral lesions seen at surgery (93%) suggests that epidurography can be a valuable aid in the diagnosis of lumbosacral compressive lesions.

Key words

Epidurography - Lumbosacral disease

Full Text

References

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