Epidurography as a Diagnostic Aid in Canine Lumbosacral Compressive Disease: 47 Cases(1981–1986)

Epidurograms were performed on 47 dogs with clinical signs consistent with lumbosacral compressive disease. Thirtyeight abnormal epidurograms were identified. Epidurograms were considered abnormal when complete obstruction of cranial forward flow or dorsal deviation over the lumbosacral junction were present. Dorsal laminectomies were performed on 28 dogs with abnormal epidurographic findings. Surgical findings included: disc herniation (17), connective tissue nerve root entrapment (5), fibrous connective tissue mass (3), no abnormality (2), and instability (1). The strong correlation between abnormal epidurographic signs and compressive lumbosacral lesions seen at surgery (93%) suggests that epidurography can be a valuable aid in the diagnosis of lumbosacral compressive lesions.

Key words

Epidurography - Lumbosacral disease

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