Case of the Month

• Intervertebral disc disease C2-3 with suspicion of disc herniation, likely left lateralized.

• Intervertebral disc disease C3-4 with in situ mineralization of this disc.

• Thorax otherwise unremarkable.

• Consider a magnetic resonance imaging or a (myelographic) computed tomography of the spine to better assess the suspicion of a disc herniation and associated spinal cord pathology.

• ATTENTION - Radiation Safety First, Protect Yourself !

  • Unshielded or shielded Human hands must never be placed in the primary X-ray beam during radiographic procedures. This is a violation of radiation safety protocols and can lead to unnecessary exposure and long-term health risks. Always use appropriate positioning aids and protective equipment to safeguard yourself and others.
    We care about your safety—protecting you and your staff is a priority.

• The patient recovered well with cage rest and symptomatic therapy. Further diagnostic was not performed.

• When choosing which modality?  CT vs CT Myelography vs MRI vs Radiographs vs …

  • Indications and limitations for each imaging modality to aid in diagnosis, treatment planning and prognosis of canine intervertebral disc disease: Diagnostic Imaging in Intervertebral Disc Disease (click on the link).

Neck and thorax in 3 projections of a skeletally mature dog in moderate increased body condition.

Human hands evident in the primary beam.

Musculoskeletal structures:

Breed typical conformation of the front legs.

Severe mineralization of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc spaces C2-4. Mineralized discs at C2-3 with heterogeneous appearance and in one lateral view mildly extending towards the neuroforamen, likely the left one (artifactual lateralization due to rotation and positioning possible). Rest of the included intervertebral disc spaces with similar width to the adjacent disc spaces and without mineralization of the nucleus pulposus. 

Included cranial aspect of the abdomen within normal limits. 

Thorax:

Diaphragm delineable. Thoracic volume normal.

Mediastinum, cardiovascular structures, and lung parenchyma within normal limits.

Intervertebral disc disease C2-3 with suspicion of disc herniation, likely left lateralized.

Intervertebral disc disease C3-4 with in situ mineralization of this disc.

Thorax otherwise unremarkable.

Consider a magnetic resonance imaging or a (myelographic) computed tomography of the spine to better assess the suspicion of a disc herniation and associated spinal cord pathology.

ATTENTION - Radiation Safety First, Protect Yourself ! Unshielded or shielded Human hands must never be placed in the primary X-ray beam during radiographic procedures. This is a violation of radiation safety protocols and can lead to unnecessary exposure and long-term health risks. Always use appropriate positioning aids and protective equipment to safeguard yourself and others.  We care about your safety—protecting you and your staff is a priority.