Spinal Tumours
Some spinal tumours respond very well to surgery, and if required, follow up radiation therapy. These are typically meningiomas or other benign space-occupying growths within the spinal canal. Symptoms may have had a gradual onset, but an acute presentation is not uncommon, and is due to minor trauma leading to, or spontaneous haemorrhage from the tumour. Cancer that involves the bones of the spinal column such as osteosarcoma or metastatic disease from a primary carcinoma such as pancreas, prostate, thyroid or anal gland carry a poor prognosis and are rarely operated on.
Red arrows point to the Meningioma in Ty’s cervical spinal cord as seen with CT myelogram.
Red arrows point to the Meningioma in Ty’s cervical spinal cord as seen with CT myelogram.
Red arrows point to the Meningioma in Ty’s cervical spinal cord as seen with CT myelogram.
Spinal Surgery
ASRS has operated on hundreds of animals’ spines for various conditions. One of our main imaging tools has been myelography. At PVS we are able to work with the specialist imaging team to take advantage of the improved diagnostic capability of the CT and MRI facilities.
10 yo Lhasa Apso with spinal pain but still walking well. Myelogram showed severe L2-3 IV disc extrusion and cord compression. Site decompressed via hemilaminectomy and fusion encouraged with pins and
Myelogram showing C 3-4 intervertebral disc extrusion and severe cord compression. Ventral slotting decompression resulted in pain free normal function within 2 weeks
Myelogram on 4 yo Boxer with lumbosacral IVDD and cauda equina syndrome
11 yo Poodle, C4-5 disc extrusion, receiving a ventral slotting decompression, grafting and pins and polymethylmethacrylate stabilisation