Surgical decompression of a caudal vertebral disc extrusion by dorsal laminectomy

Summary

A 3.5-year-old female spayed Beagle cross was presented to our emergency and referral facility for the complaint of acute onset paralysis of the tail. A full physical and neurological examination was performed which confirmed the absence of motor function in the tail. Signs of superficial and deep pain sensation to the tail remained intact. Orthogonal view survey radiographs identified mineralization superimposed over the intervertebral foramen of the first and second caudal vertebrae. A dorsal laminectomy was performed for surgical decompression of the caudal nerve roots. On the fourth postoperative day, the patient exhibited good motor function of the tail. Neurological improvement continued and 11 days postoperatively the patient demonstrated normal neurological function, free range-of-motion of the tail, and it did not exhibit any signs of pain. Follow-up examination was performed 76 days after surgery, at which time the patient exhibited normal neurological function and signs of a pain-free range-of-motion on manipulation of its tail.

Keywords

Intervertebral disc disease - laminectomy - disc extrusion - coccygeal vertebrae - dog

• References

• 1 Hoerlein BF. Intervertebral disc disease. In: Oliver JE, Hoerlein BK, Mayew IG. editors. Veterinary Neurology. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1987: 321.
• 2 Toombs JP, Waters DJ. Intervertebral Disc Disease. In: Slatter DH. editor. Textbook of Small Animal Surgery. 3rd edition.. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2003: 1193-1209.
• 3 Seim HB, Prata RG. Ventral decompression for the treatment of cervical disc disease in the dog: A review of 54 cases. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1982; 18: 233
• 4 Sjostrom L. Lumbosacral Disorders: Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis: Surgical Decompression. In: Slatter DH. editor. Textbook of Small Animal Surgery. 3rd edition.. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2003: 1228.
• 5 Bellah JR. Tail and Perineal Wounds. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2006; 36: 914-916.
• 6 Suwankong N, Meij BP, Voorhout G. et al. Review and retrospective analysis of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in 156 dogs treated by dorsal laminectomy. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2008; 21: 285-293.
• 7 De Risio L, Sharp NJ, Olby NJ. et al. Predictors of outcome after dorsal decompressive laminectomy for degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs: 69 cases (1987–1997). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001; 219: 624-628.
• 8 Hanna FY. Lumbosacral osteochondrosis: radiological features and surgical management in 34 dogs. J Sm Anim Prac 2001; 42: 272-278.
• 9 Steiss J, Braund K, Wright J. et al. Coccygeal muscle injury in English pointers (Limber Tail). J Vet Intern Med 1999; 13: 540-548.
• 10 Meij BP, Bergknut N. Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2010; 40: 983-1009.
• 11 Janssens LA. The treatment of canine cervical disc disease by acupuncture: a review of thirty-two cases. J Small Anim Pract 1985; 26: 203-212.
• 12 Levine JM, Levine GJ, Johnson SI. et al. Evaluation of success of medical management for presumptive cervical intervertebral disk herniation in dogs. Vet Surg 2007; 36: 492-499.
• 13 Janssens L, Beosier Y, Daems R. Lumbosacral degenerative stenosis in the dog. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22: 486-491.