Clinical and computed tomographic myelography findings of presumed intradural‐intramedullary intervertebral disk extrusion in 16 dogs

Abstract Intradural‐intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion is an uncommon form of intervertebral disc disease in dogs. Magnetic resonance imaging findings include an intramedullary linear tract of mixed intensity representing extruded disc and haemorrhage. We sporadically noticed an intramedullary linear tract of contrast on computed tomographic myelography that could represent an intradural‐intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion. We describe the clinical and computed tomographic myelography findings in 16 dogs with presumed intradural‐intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion. All dogs were presented with acute T3–L3 myelopathy, usually following a trauma. The most affected sites were T12–T13 and T13–L1. The tract originated from the ventral or dorsal subarachnoid space with a cranial or caudal direction. All dogs received medical treatment and physiotherapy. A 3‐month follow‐up was available for 12 dogs. All dogs showed marked improvement of their neurological status. Four dogs with severe neurological score were euthanased due to lack of improvement. This study described clinical and computed tomographic myelography findings in dogs with presumed intradural‐intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion.