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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2012; 25(02): 167-171
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-11-06-0088
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Surgical management of a Schmorl's node in an Airedale Terrier and review of the literature

W. I. Baltzer
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
,
L. Hillebrand
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
,
T. J. Smith
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
,
S. M. Stieger-Vanegas
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 11 June 2011

Accepted 15 January 2011

Publication Date:
23 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objective: To describe a clinical case of Schmorl's node affecting the lumbosacral disc in an Airedale Terrier including surgical management, short-term outcome, and review of the literature.

Methods: A five-year-old male Airedale Terrier with signs of chronic spinal pain and right hindlimb muscle fasciculation was diagnosed with a Schmorl's node with computed tomography. Repeat imaging performed two months later identified enlargement of the defect in the seventh lumbar vertebra (L7) and herniation of the lumbosacral disc into the spinal canal.

Results: Dorsal laminectomy and discectomy were performed and the defect was treated with curettage and stabilization of the L7 and first sacral vertebra disc space with pins and bone cement. Immediately postoperatively, the patient had proprioception deficits in the hindlimbs and decreased right patellar reflex. Over the next four months the dog's neurological condition improved and no neurological or gait deficits were present six months postoperatively.

Clinical significance: Schmorl's node may be a cause of signs of chronic pain in dogs. Successful management may be achieved surgically, although in the case reported here, recovery was prolonged. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of progressive enlargement of a Schmorl's node in a dog.

Keywords

Schmorl's node - lumbosacral spine - dog - spinal fusion - vertebral body defect
 

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