Abstract
Simple SummaryThe internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP) is a valveless venous network running inside the vertebral canal. The objective of this study was to morphometrically describe the IVVP, dural sac, epidural space and vertebral canal of the lumbar segment in dogs with enhanced computerized tomography. Six clinically healthy adult dogs were used for the study. Dorsal reconstructed computed tomography (CT) images showed a continuous rhomboidal morphological pattern for the IVVP. The dural sac was observed as an isodense structure with a rounded shape throughout the vertebral canal. The average percentage area occupied by the IVVP between L1 and L7 vertebrae ranged between 6.3% and 8.9% of the area of the vertebral canal, and the dural sac ranged between 13.8% and 72.2% of the vertebral canal. The epidural space accounted between 27.08% and 86.2% of the lumbar vertebral canal. CT venography is a safe technique that allows adequate visualization and evaluation of the lumbar IVVP and adjacent structures in dogs.The internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP) is a thin-walled, valveless venous network that is located inside the vertebral canal, communicating with the cerebral venous sinuses. The objective of this study was to perform a morphometric analysis of the IVVP, dural sac, epidural space and vertebral canal between the L1 and L7 vertebrae with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Six clinically healthy adult dogs weighing between 12 kg to 28 kg were used in the study. The CT venographic protocol consisted of a manual injection of 880 mgI/kg of contrast agent (587 mgI/kg in a bolus and 293 mgI/mL by continuous infusion). In all CT images, the dimensions of the IVVP, dural sac, and vertebral canal were collected. Dorsal reconstruction CT images showed a continuous rhomboidal morphological pattern for the IVVP. The dural sac was observed as a rounded isodense structure throughout the vertebral canal. The average area of the IVVP ranged from 0.61 to 0.74 mm2 between L1 and L7 vertebrae (6.3–8.9% of the vertebral canal), and the area of the dural sac was between 1.22 and 7.42 mm2 (13.8–72.2% of the vertebral canal). The area of the epidural space between L1 and L7 ranged from 2.85 to 7.78 mm2 (27.8–86.2% of the vertebral canal). This CT venography protocol is a safe method that allows adequate visualization and morphometric evaluation of the IVVP and adjacent structures.
Highlights
The vertebral venous plexus (VVP) is a thin-walled, valveless venous network that surrounds the entire length of the vertebral column, terminating at the cephalad end in the cerebral venous sinuses [1,2]
Nonselective computed tomography (CT) venography developed in this study allowed adequate visualization and measurement of the internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP) and associated vertebral structures
The contrast injection protocol based on nonionic iodinated contrast medium in a total dose allI/kg, six dogs, of the vertebral venous was of 880Inmg
Summary
The vertebral venous plexus (VVP) is a thin-walled, valveless venous network that surrounds the entire length of the vertebral column, terminating at the cephalad end in the cerebral venous sinuses [1,2]. According to its position inside or outside of the vertebral canal, the vertebral venous plexus can be divided into three intercommunicating divisions: the internal vertebral venous plexus, external vertebral venous plexus, and basivertebral veins [1]. The internal vertebral venous plexus (plexus vertebralis internus ventralis) (IVVP). Is known as the longitudinal venous sinus, vertebral venous sinuses, epidural venous plexus, paravertebral veins, and meningorachidean plexus [3]. The VVP drains blood from the vertebral column, the paravertebral musculature, the spinal cord, the meninges, and the nerve roots of the spinal nerves [3]. In humans and animals, rupture of the IVVP has been associated with the etiology of spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas [5,6]
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