Vacuum disk and facet phenomenon in a dog with cauda equina syndrome

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 Sep 15;217(6):862-4, 844. doi: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.862.

Abstract

A 7-year-old castrated male Rottweiler was evaluated for an 18-month history of bilateral hind limb lameness, signs of pain on rising, and mild ataxia. A gas-filled lumbosacral disk space (vacuum disk phenomenon) was revealed by use of computed tomography. Additional smaller gas bubbles were in the periphery of the disk and between the degenerated L5-L6 dorsal articular facets (vacuum facet phenomenon). Vacuum disk and facet phenomena have been described in humans with degenerative disk and vertebral articular facet joint disease; gas attracted from surrounding tissues accumulates within clefts of the degenerated disk or in unstable facet joints. Vacuum disk phenomenon has been reported in dogs and indicates degenerative disk disease. The phenomenon is more commonly observed by use of computed tomography, compared with conventional radiography, and can be elicited by hyperextension of the vertebral column.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases / physiopathology
  • Dogs
  • Intervertebral Disc / diagnostic imaging
  • Intervertebral Disc / physiopathology*
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lameness, Animal / drug therapy
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Polyradiculopathy / diagnostic imaging
  • Polyradiculopathy / drug therapy
  • Polyradiculopathy / physiopathology
  • Polyradiculopathy / veterinary*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Spinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Spinal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Spinal Diseases / veterinary*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Prednisolone