Lumbosacral intervertebral disk extrusions in 13 dogs

Objective To describe the clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and outcome of dogs treated surgically for lumbosacral intervertebral disk extrusion (IVDE). Study Design Retrospective study. Animals Thirteen dogs. Methods Records MRI studies with intraoperatively confirmed IVDE were reviewed. features thoracolumbar applied to all cases. Postoperative was subjectively assessed as excellent, good, or poor. Results All had an acute subacute onset pain nerve root signature. Seven neurological deficits. revealed lateralized herniated material partial complete degeneration in cases; extradural extended cranial and/or caudally from space 10 underwent L7-S1 dorsal laminectomy removal extruded material. In six dogs, surgery complicated by inflammatory changes, including one case epidural steatitis. On reexamination 4–6 weeks postsurgery, judged excellent 11 poor remaining 2 due contralateral signature nonambulatory paraparesis urinary incontinence Conclusion Lumbosacral characterized acute/subacute often dispersed over a degenerated on MRI. Early decompressive generally resulted outcome. Clinical Significance Observation these should prompt suspicion IVDE.