Preliminary evaluation of an indwelling epidural catheter for repeat methylprednisolone administration in canine lumbosacral stenosis.

Objective: To determine the complications, outcomes, and patency of a permanent epidural catheter and subcutaneous access port system (ECAPS) as part of conservative management of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs. Animals and procedure: Medical records of 11 client-owned dogs that underwent an ECAPS insertion were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical signs, complications related to the procedure, and system patency are reported. Results: All dogs had lumbosacral pain at their initial neurological assessment, with comfort levels adequately controlled following epidural infiltrations. None suffered from complications related to the ECAPS procedure. In 10 dogs, there were no malfunctions for the duration of the study. However, in 1 dog, there was a suspected leak at Day 814. The longest duration of patency reported in this study was 870 d (at the time of writing). Conclusion: Placement of an ECAPS is a feasible technique and a viable option to permit repeated epidural injections of steroids in dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis that is managed conservatively. Further studies are required to evaluate complication rates.

Évaluation préliminaire d'un cathéter épidural permanent (à demeure) pour l'administration répétée de méthylprednisolone lors de sténose lombosacrée dégénérative chez le chien. Objectif: Décrire la technique, les complications, les résultats et la perméabilité d'un système composé d'un cathéter épidural et d'un port d'injection sous-cutanée (ECAPS) pour le traitement médical de la sténose lombosacrée dégénérative chez le chien. Animaux et protocole: Les dossiers médicaux de 11 chiens appartenant à des clients ayant subi l'implantation d'un ECAPS ont été évalués de façon rétrospective. Cette étude décrit les signes cliniques, les complications reliées à la procédure et la perméabilité du système. Résultats: Tous les patients inclus présentaient de la douleur lombosacrée à l'examen initial. Le niveau de confort de tous les patients suite aux injections épidurales fut maitrisé de façon adéquate. Aucun des patients n'a subi de complications reliées à l'implantation du système. Le système n'a pas démontré de dysfonctionnement dans le cas de dix patients. Chez un des patients, une fuite fut suspectée au jour 814. La durée maximale de perméabilité enregistrée dans cette étude est de 870 jours (au moment de la rédaction). Conclusion: L'implantation d'un système ECAPS représente une option faisable et viable pour l'administration additionnelle de stéroïdes pour une gestion conservatrice de sténose lombosacrée dégénérative chez les chiens atteints. Des recherches supplémentaires sont requises pour l'évaluation des taux de complications.(Traduit par les auteurs).

A case of suspected canine multifocal cervical venous sinus thrombosis causing cervical myelopathy.

A 10-year-old spayed female standard poodle was admitted for marked cervical pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested cervical venous sinus thrombi. An excellent clinical response to clopidogrel and warfarin combination was achieved. Repeat MRI showed partial resolution of the thrombosis. The etiology of the thrombosis is suspected to be due to the previous long-term, chronic use of corticosteroids. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report with follow-up imaging of canine venous sinus thrombosis. This clinical case report may help practitioners recognize this condition as a possible differential diagnosis for cervical pain, and it provides important guidelines in the prognosis. This case report highlights the use of anticoagulant therapy for 14 wk leading to complete resolution of clinical signs and to partial resolution of the thrombus 5 wk into the treatment, based on comparative MRI. Key clinical message: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of suspected multiple cervical venous sinus thrombi that includes comparative imaging into the course of therapy. The aim of this report is to provide additional information for future guidance on the duration of venous sinus thrombosis therapy.

Un cas de thrombose multifocale du sinus veineux cervical causant une myélopathie cervicale. Une femelle caniche standard stérilisée âgée de 10 ans a été présentée pour une douleur aigüe marquée au cou. L'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) était évocatrice de thrombose du sinus veineux cervical. Une excellente réponse au traitement combinant Warfarine et Clopidogrel a été notée. L'étiologie suspectée d'être à l'origine de la thrombose est l'administration prolongée de corticostéroïdes. Jusqu'à maintenant, il s'agit du premier rapport de cas avec imagerie de suivi de thrombose du sinus veineux cervical. Il pourrait aider à reconnaître cette condition comme l'un des diagnostics différentiels lors de douleur cervicale et il fournit des indications importantes reliées au pronostic. Ce rapport met en évidence l'utilisation d'un anticoagulant pendant quatorze semaines conduisant à la disparition complète des signes cliniques reliés à la thrombose et à une résolution partielle de la thrombose notée sur l'IRM comparative 5 semaines suivant l'introduction du traitement.Message clinique clé :À la connaissance des auteurs, il s'agit du premier rapport de cas de multiples thromboses du sinus veineux cervical suspectées incluant une imagerie comparative au cours du traitement. L'objectif de ce rapport est de fournir de l'information supplémentaire à la formation de lignes directrices futures sur la durée de traitement de la thrombose veineuse cervicale.(Traduit par les auteurs).

A case of canine discospondylitis and epidural empyema due to Salmonella species.

A case of canine discospondylitis and epidural empyema due to Salmonella species is reported. The history, clinical signs, and magnetic resonance imaging were suggestive of discospondylitis and empyema, which was subsequently confirmed by blood cultures. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of canine discospondylitis due to Salmonella species.

Cas de discospondylite canine et d'empyème épidural causé par l'espèceSalmonella. Un cas de discospondylite canine et d'empyème épidural causé par l'espèce Salmonella est présenté. L'anamnèse, les signes cliniques et l'imagerie par résonance magnétique suggéraient une discospondylite et l'empyème, ce qui a été subséquemment confirmé par des hémocultures. À la connaissance des auteurs, il s'agit du premier cas signalé de discospondylite canine causée par l'espèce Salmonella.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Cerebral coenurosis in a cat caused by Taenia serialis: neurological, magnetic resonance imaging and pathological features.

CLINICAL SUMMARY: A 4-year-old Birman cat was presented with marked obtundation and non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Two well-demarcated, intra-axial T2-hyperintense, T1-hypointense structures, which did not contrast enhance, were evident on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histopathology of the structures revealed metacestodes that were morphologically indicative of larval stages of Taenia species. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a fragment within the 12S rRNA gene confirmed the subspecies as Taenia serialis. PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first report of MRI findings of cerebral coenurosis caused by T serialis in a cat. Early MRI should be considered an important part of the diagnostic work-up for this rare clinical disease, as it will help guide subsequent treatment and may improve the prognosis.

Imaging diagnosis--spinal cord hemangioma in two dogs.

Intramedullary masses are a dilemma due to the limited access for a nonsurgical biopsy, thus, accurate imaging characterization is crucial. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of two confirmed canine thoracic intramedullary hemangiomas are described. A capillary hemangioma was of mixed intensity but predominantly T2-hyperintense and mildly T1-hyperintense to spinal cord with strong contrast enhancement. A cavernous hemangioma had a target-like appearance in both T1-weighted (T1w) and T2-weighted (T2w) images. In T2w images there was a small isointense center surrounded by a relatively large hyperintense area. In T1w images, there was a large isointense centre with a relatively small hyperintense periphery. Such characteristics should prioritize hemangioma as a consideration in a progressive myelopathy due to an intramedullary mass.

A stepwise surgical procedure to investigate the lymphatic transport of lipid-based oral drug formulations: Cannulation of the mesenteric and thoracic lymph ducts within the rat.

INTRODUCTION: A number of animal models have been described for the assessment of intestinal lymphatic drug transport. Lymphatic transport studies are commonly first conducted in the laboratory rat, with larger more complicated models (i.e., dog or pig) subsequently investigated. However, the utility of lymph fistulation in large animals is limited by considerable logistical and economic constraints. METHODS: This paper describes a stepwise surgical procedure for cannulating the thoracic and mesenteric lymph ducts in male Sprague-Dawley rats. RESULTS: Following surgery, thoracic and mesenteric lymph flow rates during the 24-h period immediately following surgery averaged 12.5+/-2.5 and 2.4+/-1.1 ml/h, respectively. This flow rate is greater than that obtained with previously described methods, which require restraint of the animals and/or a 24-h recovery period and are reported to produce average intestinal lymph flow rates of 2 ml/h. DISCUSSION: This animal model can be utilized for the assessment of drug transport by the lymphatics and for determining what percentage of lymphatic transport is a result of only intestinal lymphatics.