Imaging features of discospondylitis in cats.

Sergio A Gomes,Laurent S Garosi,Mike Targett,Ines Carrera,Sebastien Behr,Mark Lowrie

doi:10.1177/1098612x19869705

Sergio A Gomes, Laurent S Garosi + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612x19869705

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Abstract

This study describes the imaging features of feline discospondylitis on MRI, comparing them with CT and radiographic findings where available. The medical records of cats diagnosed with discospondylitis, presented to three referring institutions, were reviewed. MRI, CT and radiographic features were assessed by two of the authors independently. Fourteen sites of discospondylitis were retrospectively identified in 13 cats. The L7-S1 intervertebral disc space (IVDS) was affected in 7/14 (50%) cases. Characteristic MRI features included a hyperintense nucleus pulposus signal on T2-weighted (T2W) imaging (n = 10/14 [71%]) and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) imaging (n = 11/13 [85%]), with contrast enhancement in all (n = 11/11); involvement of adjacent vertebral endplates (n = 11/14 [79%]) and hyperintense neighbouring soft tissue on T2W (n = 11/14 [79%]) and STIR (n = 10/13 [77%]), with contrast enhancement in all (n = 11/11); and the presence of spondylosis deformans (n = 10/14 [71%]). Other features included narrowed or collapsed IVDS (n = 8/14 [57%]), contrast enhancement of vertebral bodies (n = 5/11 [46%]), epidural space involvement (n = 5/14 [36%]), compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots (n = 5/14 [36%]), paraspinal abscessation (n = 3/14 [21%]) and meningeal signal intensity abnormalities with contrast enhancement (n = 5/6 [83%]). These latter findings may indicate secondary focal meningitis. Radiographs were available covering five sites (in four cats) and CT covering three sites (in two cats). The most common radiological features were collapse or narrowing of the affected IVDS (80%) and endplate erosion (60%). No changes suggestive of discospondylitis were identifiable on radiography or CT in two sites (one cat), despite being identifiable on MRI. Repeated radiography in one case did not reveal complete radiological resolution following 9 months of treatment. The results of this study indicate consistent MRI features of feline discospondylitis that should be considered in the diagnosis of this condition.

Highlights

IntroductionDiscospondylitis describes the infection of an intervertebral disc (discitis) and its adjacent cartilaginous vertebral end plates (spondylitis).[1,2,3,4,5] This condition is well recognised and reported in dogs, with descriptions of its associated clinical signs, typical signalment and imaging characteristics.[3,4,6] literature describing discospondylitis in cats is sparse with six individual case reports, and two cats being mentioned in a series of feline patients with spinal cord disease.[7,8,9,10,11,12,13] Discospondylitis appears to be a rare condition in cats, more commonly identified in male cats mainly at the level of the lumbar spine.[7,8,9,10,11,12]
The results of this study indicate consistent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of feline discospondylitis that should be considered in the diagnosis of feline discospondylitis
Since no extensive literature is available for MRI features of feline discospondylitis, an MRI diagnosis was based on previously reported imaging characteristics of discospondylitis in a single feline case report and in two case series of affected dogs.[4,6,12]

Summary

Introduction

Discospondylitis describes the infection of an intervertebral disc (discitis) and its adjacent cartilaginous vertebral end plates (spondylitis).[1,2,3,4,5] This condition is well recognised and reported in dogs, with descriptions of its associated clinical signs, typical signalment and imaging characteristics.[3,4,6] literature describing discospondylitis in cats is sparse with six individual case reports, and two cats being mentioned in a series of feline patients with spinal cord disease.[7,8,9,10,11,12,13] Discospondylitis appears to be a rare condition in cats, more commonly identified in male cats mainly at the level of the lumbar spine.[7,8,9,10,11,12]. Prognosis appears guarded as four out of six reported cases died (1 case) or were euthanased (3 cases) following diagnosis. Reported imaging investigations included vertebral radiographs in every case with additional computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in single cases.[7,12]

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