Our Summary

This research paper is about a 14-month-old female Doberman pinscher who was having trouble standing up, had an abnormal walk, and was experiencing pain in the neck region. The dog had been experiencing these symptoms for about two months. Upon examination, the vets found that the dog was unsteady on its back legs and oversensitive in the neck area. The problem seemed to be in certain segments of its spinal cord.

A CT scan revealed that there was an abnormal growth of bone in the dog’s spinal cord, which was pressing on it and causing the symptoms. The bone growth was more severe on one side. The vets performed a surgical procedure to remove the portion of the bone causing the problem.

However, the dog’s condition worsened after the surgery. Another CT scan showed that a pocket of fluid (seroma) had developed in the area where the surgery was performed. This was also pressing on the spinal cord.

To address this, the vets inserted a tube into the pocket of fluid to drain it out. This procedure was guided by ultrasound to ensure accuracy. The drainage of the fluid relieved the pressure on the spinal cord, and the dog’s condition improved.

The study suggests that CT scans are a useful tool for identifying spinal cord issues caused by post-surgical complications. It also suggests that using a tube to drain fluid can be a minimally invasive and effective way to address such complications.

FAQs

  1. What were the symptoms that led to the evaluation of the Doberman pinscher?
  2. What was the treatment performed to relieve the spinal cord compression in the Doberman pinscher?
  3. How was the postoperative subfascial seroma diagnosed and managed?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about spinal laminectomy is to follow postoperative instructions carefully, including avoiding strenuous activities and keeping the surgical site clean to reduce the risk of complications such as seroma formation. It is important to attend follow-up appointments for monitoring and to report any new or worsening symptoms promptly.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended spinal laminectomy are those with spinal cord compression due to conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal tumors, or spinal injuries. In this case, the Doberman pinscher had bony proliferation causing spinal cord compression at the C6-C7 level, leading to neurological symptoms. This necessitated a limited dorsal laminectomy to relieve the compression and improve the patient’s symptoms.

Timeline

  • 2 months before surgery: Patient begins experiencing difficulty in rising, wide based stance, pelvic limb gait abnormalities, and cervical pain
  • Day of surgery: Neurologic examination reveals pelvic limb ataxia and cervical spinal hyperesthesia
  • Surgery: Limited dorsal laminectomy performed at C6-C7 to relieve spinal cord compression
  • 4 days postoperatively: Follow-up CT examination reveals development of a subfacial seroma causing significant spinal cord compression
  • Post-surgery: Closed-suction wound catheter is placed under ultrasonographic guidance to drain the seroma and relieve spinal cord compression
  • After drainage: Patient’s neurological status improves as compressive effects on the spinal cord are relieved.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is a spinal laminectomy and why is it being recommended for me?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with a spinal laminectomy?
  3. How long is the recovery process after a spinal laminectomy?
  4. Will physical therapy be necessary after the procedure?
  5. How likely is it that my symptoms will improve after the spinal laminectomy?
  6. Are there alternative treatment options to consider before proceeding with a spinal laminectomy?
  7. How often will follow-up appointments be needed after the procedure?
  8. What restrictions or limitations will I have after the spinal laminectomy?
  9. How long do the effects of a spinal laminectomy typically last?
  10. What is the success rate of spinal laminectomy in patients with similar conditions to mine?

Reference

Authors: Kitshoff AM, Van Goethem B, Cornelis I, Combes A, Dvm IP, Gielen I, Vandekerckhove P, de Rooster H. Journal: J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2016 May-Jun;52(3):175-80. doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6414. Epub 2016 Mar 23. PMID: 27008321