Case Study

RAD – chronic degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in a 5 year old MN Golden Retriever dog

This 5 year old MN Goldern Retriever dog presented with acute onset hindlimb paresis and ataxia of 2 weeks duration. Treated with Methocarbamol 500mg TID, Tramadol 100mg BID and anti-inflammatory dose of Prednisone. No improvement noted

Physical Exam: Hindlimb paresis and ataxia; can stand for about 30 seconds, CPs WNL, significant hindlimb muscle atrophy, significant curvature of spine at T-L junction and unable to straighten, stifles and hips palpate wnl, abdomen is soft and non painful with no palpable masses, C/L: wnl, mm: pink and moist CRT < 2 sec

CBC: PCV 38%

Chemistry: wnl, 4dx negative

Image Interpretation

Rads of the hip and stifles – Thoracolumbar spine:
There are radiographic signs of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis with moderate
incompletely bridging spondylosis and facte joint arthrosis as well as marked endplate
sclerosis and narrow intervertebral disc space. Endplate defects are not seen but the
assessment is limited to the image quality presented here.
Mild narrowing oft he intervertebral disc space T12/13 is noted.
There is mild thoracolumbar cyphosis without signs of traumatic bone injury.
Left stifle and tarsal joint:
Mild thickening of the calcaneal soft tissue is noted. The stifle and tarsal joints are
within normal limits.
Right stifle and tarsal joint:
Mild thickening of the calcaneal soft tissue is noted. The stifle and tarsal joints are
within normal limits.
Coxofemoral joints: Both coxofemoral joints are within normal limits.
The included thoracic and abdominal structures present within normal limits.

DX

There are radiographic signs of moderate chronic degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. The narrowing of the intervertebral disc space T12/13 may be an indirect sign of disc degeneration and/or hernia

Outcome

The findings are not typical for discospondylitis although a trace of doubt remains here
owing to the image quality. further assessment warrants cross sectional imaging –
ideally Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – here. While the radiographs do only show chronic lesions the history raises some concern
for acute onset myelopathies such as acute compressive or non compressive disc
extrusion or ischemic myelopathy. The gold standard to assess these as well as to
gather direct information on the spinal cord and to rule out other possible differential
diagnoses is MRI.
Mild bilateral calcaneal decubitus is noted.