Politis C. DVM, MSc student, Surgery and Obstetrics Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Sarpekidou E. DVM, PhD student, Surgery and Obstetrics Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Kakaroumba P. DVM, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic, Ag. Paraskevi, Attiki, Greece
Farmaki R. DVM, PhD, DipECVD, Medicine Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki & Plakentia Veterinary Clinic, Ag. Paraskevi, Attiki, Greece
Kazakos G. DVM, Associate Professor, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Introduction
A case of cervical myelopathy due to extradural synovial cysts in the cervical spine associated with generalized cutaneous calcinosis cutis due to initial treatment with long-term corticotherapy is presented.
Clinical case
Α male, 2.5-years-old Cane Corso dog, was admitted with progressive spastic tetraparesis despite corticosteroid therapy of 3 months duration (methylprednisolone Medrol® 0,75 mg/kg B.W. once per day). Magnetic resonance imaging showed of compression of the spinal cord by a synovial cyst at the level of the left A5-A6 intervertebral space, along with two smaller non-compressible cysts in adjacent spaces. Surgical dorsolateral decompression was performed and widening of the intervertebral foramen A5-A6 on the left side revealed the synovial cyst.
Results
Postoperatively, locomotion improvement was noted. However, foci of deep pyoderma appeared around the surgical incisionand on the rest of the body. Calcinosis cutis, complicated with Pseudomonas spp. was diagnosed. Systemic quinolones and topical amikacin after sensitivity testing were administered. Treatment lasted seven weeks and pyoderma resolved. Two and a half months after surgery, a full motor recovery of the animal was observed.
Conclusions
Synovial cysts in the cervical spine have a good short-term prognosis after surgical treatment, while the long-term prognosis is still unknown. Nevertheless, the side effects of long-term corticosteroid therapy should be considered.
References
- Doerr K A, Outerbridge CA, White SD, Kass PH, Shiraki R, Lam AT, &Affolter, VK (2013) Calcinosis cutis in dogs: Histopathological and clini- cal analysis of 46 cases.
- Veterinary Dermatology 24, 355–e79.
- Levitski RE, Chauvet AE, & Lipsitz D (1999) Cervical Myelopathy Associated with Extradural Synovial Cysts in 4 Dogs. In J VetInternMed 13, 181–186.
