Usefulness of multidetector computed tomography in the evaluation of spinal neuro- musculoskeletal injuries

Summary

Spinal trauma is commonly diagnosed in small animal practice. Although the first approach to the patient with spinal trauma includes survey spinal radiographs, an accurate evaluation of the injury often requires advanced imaging. Multidetector computed tomography has revolutionized computed tomography technology, providing near-isotropic volumetric representation of the complete body with exquisite anatomical detail in a brief scan time. This review aims to discuss the technical background, indications, and limitations of multidetector computed tomography in the assessment of spinal trauma with particular reference to skeletal, muscular and nervous spinal components.

Online Supplementary Material: Please note that all figures for this paper are also available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.3415/VCOT-15-05-0082.

Keywords

Spinal trauma - computed tomography - dog

• References

• 1 Jeffery ND. Vertebral fracture and luxation in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2010; 40: 809-828.
• 2 Bali MS, Lang J, Jaggy A. et al. Comparative study of vertebral fractures and luxations in dogs and cats. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22: 47-53.
• 3 Thrall DE. Textbook of Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology. 6th edition St. Louis Missouri: Elsevier Saunders; 2013
• 4 Kinns J, Mai W, Seiler G. et al. Radiographic sensitivity and negative predictive value for acute canine spinal trauma. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2006; 47: 563-570.
• 5 Ohlerth S, Scharf G. Computed tomography in small animals - basic principles and state of the art applications. Vet J 2007; 173: 254-271.
• 6 Bertolini G, Prokop M. Multidetector-row computed tomography: technical basics and preliminary clinical applications in small animals. Vet J 2011; 189: 15-26.
• 7 Whatmough C, Lamb CR. Computed tomography: principles and applications. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 2006; 789-798.
• 8 Schwarz T, Saunders J. Veterinary Computed Tomography. Chichester, UK: Wiley Blackwell; 2011. Pg. 9-10 18, 210
• 9 Saini S, Rubin GD, Kalra MK. MDCT: A Practical Approach. Berlin: Springer; 2006
• 10 Goldman LV. Principles of CT: radiation dose and image quality. J Nucl Med Technol 2007; 35: 213-225.
• 11 Tins B. Technical aspects of CT imaging of the spine. Insights imaging 2010; 1: 349-359.
• 12 da Costa RC, Samii VF. Advanced imaging of the spine in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2010; 40: 765-790.
• 13 Mahesh M. MDCT Physics: The Basics - Technology, Image Quality and Radiation Dose. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009. Pg. 62
• 14 Brink JA. Helical CT: principles ans technical consideratios. Radiographics 1994; 14: 887.
• 15 Dennis R. Advanced imaging: indications for CT and MRI in veterinary patients. In Practice 2003; 25: 243-254.
• 16 Kwiatkowska M, Pomianowski A. Comparison of diagnostic values of advanced imaging techniques and electrodiagnostic procedures in the assessement of cervical spinal cord disorders in dogs. A preliminary study. Bull Vet Inst Pulawy 2011; 55: 339-345.
• 17 Rossmeisl Jr JH, Rohleder JJ, Hancock R. et al. Computed tomographic features of suspected traumatic injury to the iliopsoas and pelvic limb musculature of a dog. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2004; 45: 388-392.
• 18 Bruecker KA. Principles of vertebral fracture management. Semin Vet Med Surg (Small Anim) 1996; 11: 259-272.
• 19 Selcer RR, Bubb WJ, Walker TL. Management of vertebral column fractures in dogs and cats: 211 cases (1977-1985). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991; 198: 1965-1968.
• 20 Hawthorne JC, Blevins WE, Wallace LJ. et al. Cervical vertebral fractures in 56 dogs: a retrospective study. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1999; 35: 135-146.
• 21 Stone EA, Betts CW, Chambers JN. Cervical fractures in the dog: a literature and case review. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1979; 15: 463-471.
• 22 Sorjonen DC, Shires PK. Atlantoaxial Instability: A ventral surgical technique for decompression, fixation and fusion. Vet Surg 1981; 10: 2-29.
• 23 Seim HB. Foundamentals of neurosurgery. In Fossum TW. editor Small Animal Surgery. 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book; 2002. pg 1192
• 24 Bruce CW, Brisson BA, Gyselinck K. Spinal fracture and luxation in dogs and cats: a retrospective evaluation of 95 cases. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2008; 21: 280-284.
• 25 Hansen HJ. A pathologic-anatomical study on disc degeneration in dog, with special reference to the so-called enchondrosis intervertebralis. Acta Orthop Scand Suppl 1952; 11: 1-117.
• 26 Johnson AL, Houlton JEF, Vannini R. AO principles of fracture management in the dog and cat. NY: AO Publishing Thieme; 2005
• 27 Shores A. Spinal trauma: pathophysiology and management of traumatic spinal injuries. Vet Clin North Am: Small Anim Pract 1992; 22: 859-888.
• 28 Walker TL, Tornlinson J, Sorjonen DC. et al. Diseases of the spinal column. In Slatter DH. editor Textbook of Small Animal Surgery. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1983. pg 1367
• 29 Bottini A, Seljeskog L. Fractures of the sacrum. In Surgical Disorders of the Sacrum. Doty JR, Rangachary SS. editors. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers; 1994. pg 133-142
• 30 Anderson A, Coughlan AR. Sacral fractures in dogs and cats: a classification scheme and review of 51 cases. J Small Anim Pract 1997; 38: 404-409.
• 31 Drobatz KJ, Beal MW, Syring RS. Manual of Trauma Management in the Dog and Cat. Ames, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell; 2011
• 32 Platt S, Garosi L. Small Animal Neurological Emergencies. London: Manson Publishing; 2012
• 33 Garret WE, Rich PK, Nikolaou BM. et al. Computed tomography of hamstring muscle strains. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1989; 21: 506-514.
• 34 Cohan RH, Dunnick NR. The retroperitoneum. In Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging of the whole body. Vol. 3. St.Louis: Mosby; 1994. Pg. 1292-1326
• 35 Platt SR, McConnell JF, Garosi LS. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of canine inflammatory myopathies in three dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2006; 47: 532-537.
• 36 Mattoon JS, Nyland TG. Small Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2002. pg. 528
• 37 Cooper JJ, Young BD, Griffin 4th JF. et al. Comparison between noncontrast computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for detection and characterization of thoracolumbar myelopathy caused by intervertebral disk hherniation in dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2014; 55: 182-189.
• 38 Ito D, Matsunaga S, Jeffery ND. et al. Prognostic value of magnetic resonance imaging in dogs with paraplegia caused by thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion: 77 cases (2000-2003). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005; 227: 1454-1460.
• 39 Okada M, Kitagawa M, Ito D. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging features and clinical signs associated with presumptive and confirmed progressive myelomalacia in dogs: 12 cases (1997-2008). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2010; 237: 1160-1165.