Accuracy of computed tomography in comparison to surgical exploration for the diagnosis of disc extrusion in the dog

作者：Klumpp Stephan^*; Karpenstein Heike; Ondreka Nele; Michalik Judith; Gesierich Kerstin; Kramer Martin; Schmidt Martin

来源：Kleintierpraxis, 2010, 55(12): 665-669.

• disc extrusion
• computer tomography
• spine
• dog

Accuracy of computed tomography in comparison to surgical exploration for the diagnosis of disc extrusion in the dog In the case of disc herniation, computed tomography (CT) can reach its limits. Localization of the extruded material may be impossible, especially if the herniated disc material is not calcified. Contrast CT cannot improve the diagnosis of an extramedullary mass in all cases. In this study, the CT images of 132 dogs that were presented to the Small Animal Clinic for Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Giessen in 2009 with suspected disc herniation where evaluated retrospectively. Eight dogs were diagnosed with swelling of the spinal cord and had intraparenchymal contrast enhancement suggestive of an intramedullary tumour; however, pathological examination of these dogs revealed no signs of disc extrusion. CT was unable to identify extruded disc material in 10 dogs even though these dogs had prolapsed discs. All ten false-negative dogs underwent MRI and were positively diagnosed with disc extrusion. The sensitivity of CT for the diagnosis of disc extrusion in our study was 91.9%, the specificity 44.4%; the overall accuracy was calculated as being 92.4%. Depending on its availability, MRI evaluation is superior to CT examination in cases of suspected disc herniation. In addition, it should be noted that normal findings on CT do not rule out the presence of disc extrusion.

• 出版日期2010-12