ABSTRACT
A 10-month-old Czech wolf dog was unconscious after being kicked in the head by a horse. The following day, the dog was ataxic and collapsed after several steps. The level of consciousness was decreased. Cranial nerve examination was normal and right postural reactions were decreased. Spinal reflexes were intact in all limbs. The diagnostic work-up included a computed tomography (CT) scan of the head with IV contrast. A lenticular shaped, hyperdense, non-enhancing lesion was observed in the left fronto-parietal region. A diagnosis of intracranial epidural haematoma was made. Two craniotomies were performed on a different day and most of the haematoma was removed. Corticosteroids and antimicrobial therapy were administered. Fifteen days after the surgery, the clinical examinations were unremarkable. Fifteen months later, the owners considered the dog normal. Intracranial subdural or intraparenchymal haematomas have been described in the veterinary literature. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of the successful management of an intracranial epidural haematoma in the dog. In humans, these lesions are well described. Common locations are temporal, parietal and frontal regions or a combination of these regions. Patients can be asymptomatic, present with varying clinical signs, or be unconscious. Based on the human literature, following trauma to the head, a CT scan should be performed even if the patient is asymptomatic. Some authors believe that there are not any absolute indications for conservative management versus surgical management.
Subject(s)
Craniotomy/veterinary , Dog Diseases/surgery , Head Injuries, Closed/veterinary , Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial/veterinary , Animals , Craniotomy/methods , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Dogs , Female , Head Injuries, Closed/diagnosis , Head Injuries, Closed/surgery , Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial/diagnosis , Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial/surgery , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/veterinary , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To define the characteristics of optimum implantation corridors in vertebral bodies C2 to C7 and T10 to S1, using computed tomography examination. METHODS: Measurements were taken from 207 vertebrae from 35 different adult dogs. RESULTS: Implantation corridors of the cervical vertebrae are narrow. The width preserving the transverse hole is less than 2.5 mm in 68.6 per cent of the 86 vertebrae C2 to C6. Dorsal implantation corridors of the last four thoracic vertebrae are narrow, and major anatomical structures are very close to their emergence point. In 63 per cent of the 40 thoracic vertebrae, the right azygos vein is at a distance less than or equal to 1 mm from the vertebral body. The first six lumbar vertebrae have broader corridors. Furthermore, vascular structures are far from the emergence point. The last lumbar vertebra and the sacrum have a broad pedicle, which provides an alternative site for implant placement. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: For the vertebrae L1 to S1, the dorsal implantation can be performed. For the cervical vertebrae, the risk of laceration of the vertebral artery is high. For the last four thoracic vertebrae, the dorsal implantation should not be used.
