COMPARISON BETWEEN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC AND SURGICAL FINDINGS IN 9 LARGE-BREED DOGS WITH LUMBOSACRAL STENOSIS

In a three-year prospective study, computed tomographic (CT) and surgi cal findings were compared for nine large breed dogs with lumbosacral stenosis. Surgically-excised tissue was examined histologically in sev en dogs and additional necropsy evaluation was performed in one dog. T he CT abnormalities observed at sites of confirmed cauda equina compre ssion were: loss of epidural fat, increased soft tissue opacity, bulgi ng of the intervertebral disc margin, spondylosis, thecal sac displace ment, narrowed intervertebral foramen, narrowed vertebral canal, thick ened articular process, articular process subluxation, articular proce ss osteophyte, and telescoped sacral lamina. The CT characteristics of lumbosacral degenerative disease and discospondylitis were similar to those described in humans. In three dogs, CT findings at the site of cauda equina compression were consistent with congenital or developmen tal spinal stenosis, but the method of surgical exposure precluded con firmation. Epidural fibrosis (eight dogs) and multi-level CT abnormali ties (six dogs) were identified but the cause(s) and significance were unknown.