Case Study

CT- Chronic Cervical Disc Protrusion with Compressive Myelopathy and Disc Herniation in a 7 year old MN Pug dog

The patient has had a recurring cervical pain for the past 2 years, that has been medically managed. After worsening clinical signs January 2015, a myelogram was performed. He had another painful episode in the last few days. There is no history of seizures. Physical Exam: Mild cervical pain upon manipulation;

Image Interpretation

CT of the cervical spine, plain series -The intervertebral disc spaces C4/5, C5/6 and C6/7 presented moderate asymmetrical narrowing. Mild bony modeling was noted on the vertebral endplates of C5/6.
There was significant bony modeling of the neighboring vertebral endplates level with C6/7. The intervertebral disc C6/7 presented dorsal herniation. The full extent of herniation and effect on the spinal cord could not be assessed due to lack of differential attenuation between the protruded disc material and the dural tube.
The right tympanic bulla was partially filled with soft tissue attenuating material. The bulla wall presented mild even thickening.

DX

The findings are compatible with chronic intervertebral disc protrusions level with C6/7 and C5/6. The degree of compressive myelopathy arising from this disc protrusions cannot be determined. Furthermore there were indirect signs of disc herniation level with C4/5.

Outcome

For further diagnostic workup a myelogram, myelo-CT or MRI may be considered to assess the full extent of the suspected herniations and their effect onto the spinal cord.
There was right-sided chronic otitis media.