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Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs

Douralidou, D; Mari, L; Wyatt, S; Minguez, JJ; Fernandez, PA; Anselmi, C; Posporis, C

Authors

D Douralidou

L Mari

S Wyatt

JJ Minguez

PA Fernandez

C Anselmi

C Posporis



Abstract

Holocord syringomyelia (HSM) is characterized by a continuous spinal cord cavitation along its entire length and is currently poorly documented in dogs. This retrospective multicentric case series investigates the clinical and MRI findings in 18 dogs with HSM. The median age at presentation was 82 months (range 9-108 months) and French Bulldogs were overrepresented (50%). Signs of myelopathy attributed to HSM were detected in 12 dogs (67%), spinal pain/paresthesia/allodynia in eight (44%), and four dogs (22%) had no HSM-associated signs. The most common neuroanatomical localization was C1-C5 spinal cord segments. On MRI, the cranial limit of HSM was at C1 vertebra in seven (39%) and at C2 in 11 dogs (61%). The caudal limit extended to L3 in four dogs (22%), L4 or L5 in six dogs (33%) each, and L6 in two dogs (11%). The conus medullaris terminated at L5 in one dog (6%), L6 in 11 (61%), and L7 in six dogs (33%). Seventeen dogs (94%) exhibited MRI features of Chiari-like and/or other intracranial/cranio-cervical junction malformations. One dog (6%) was treated surgically, 11 (61%) medically, and six (33%) received no treatment. Over a median follow-up of 12 months (range 2-65 months) in 16 dogs, one dog (6%) improved, nine (56%) deteriorated, four (25%) were static, and two (13%) remained free of HSM-associated signs. This is the first study to describe canine HSM, highlighting a possible breed predisposition in French Bulldogs. The frequent occurrence of myelopathy and disease progression underscores the need for further research into the underlying etiopathogenesis, natural disease evolution, and response to therapeutic interventions.

Citation

Douralidou, D., Mari, L., Wyatt, S., Minguez, J., Fernandez, P., Anselmi, C., & Posporis, C. (2025). Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11, https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1514441

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 18, 2024
Online Publication Date Jan 8, 2025
Publication Date 2025
Deposit Date Feb 17, 2025
Publicly Available Date Feb 17, 2025
Print ISSN 2297-1769
Electronic ISSN 2297-1769
Publisher Frontiers Media
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 11
DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1514441
Keywords myelopathy; Chiari-like; malformation; French bulldog; tetraparesis; KING-CHARLES SPANIELS; CHIARI-LIKE MALFORMATION; FORAMEN MAGNUM DECOMPRESSION; CERVICAL SYRINGOMYELIA; CLINICAL SIGNS; SECONDARY; SYRINGOHYDROMYELIA; PAIN; PATHOGENESIS; ASSOCIATION

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