Equine intervertebral disc disease with dorsal protrusion and spinal cord compression: A computed tomography, myelography, MRI, and histopathologic case study

Abstract

AbstractA 3‐year‐old American Saddlebred gelding presented for progressive tetraparesis, ataxia, and cervical hyperaesthesia. Radiographic myelography identified spinal cord compression at C6‐7 in neutral, extended, and flexed positions and at C4‐5 in the flexed position. CT myelography and postmortem MRI identified severe vertebral canal stenosis/compression at C6‐7. MRI further identified severe intervertebral disc herniation at C6‐7 with intramedullary changes. Disc protrusion was confirmed macroscopically at postmortem. Lesions consistent with compressive myelopathy were confirmed microscopically at C6‐7. This is the first report of equine disc protrusion and myelocompression confirmed by multiple advanced imaging modalities and postmortem examination.