Electrophysiological Aspects in Idiopathic Acute Canine Polyradiculoneuritis

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Introduction:Polyradiculoneuritis is an acute-onset, immune-mediated polyneuropathy that often follows an antecedent infection. The most frequent type is Coonhound paralysis (Cuddon et al. 2003). This is similar to Landry-Guillain-BarrA© syndrome in humans and seems to be secondary to a raccoon bite. However, it can also occur without any interaction with a raccoon - idiopathic acute polyradiculoneuritis (IAPR) (Hadden et al. 1998). This rare disease is characterized by acute progressive flaccid quadriparesis and hyporeflexia and laryngeal weakness (Dumitru 2002). The purpose of the study was to describe electrodiagnostic recording tests and analyse the electrophysiological abnormalities recorded in dogs with IAPR.Material and methods:Electrophysiological investigations were performed on 5 dogs with suspected IAPR of different severity. The electrophysiological tests were performed using the Neuropack S, MEB 9400 Electrodiagnostic System (Nihon Kohden) in the Electromyography program. Results and discussions:The most reliable electrophysiological indicators of IAPR were electromyography changes, nerve conduction studies showed marked dispersion and prolonged latency of F-waves, indicative of slowed conduction in the ventral roots. These findings suggest that IAPR represents a peripheral motor axonopathy, with demyelination and axonal involvement also occurring in ventral nerve roots.Conclusions: Acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis the demyelinating subtype is characterized by emphasizing the damage of the peripheral motoneuron pericarion translated by increased F wave latencies accompanied by nonspecific electromyographic changesand low VCN; but repetitive stimulation with physiological values.Acknowledgement: Project no.POSDRU/159/1.5/S/132765.