Computed tomography myelography description of pneumorrhachis secondary to a degenerative intervertebral disk disease in a cross‐breed dog

Abstract

A 9‐year‐old, male, neutered, cross‐breed dog was presented for a 6‐month history of spinal pain, mild pelvic limbs proprioceptive ataxia and discrete ambulatory paraparesis. Computed tomography myelography identified focal gas accumulation in the left aspect of the vertebral canal at the level of T11–T12, resulting in moderate extradural spinal cord compression. Minor chronic intervertebral disk protrusion was also identified at this level with no evidence of spinal cord compression. An encapsulated space‐occupying gas accumulation was identified and removed during a left‐sided T11–T12 hemilaminectomy. On histopathological analysis, the capsule was formed by connective and inflammatory tissue. Early neurological deterioration following surgery was observed due to persistent extradural material causing spinal cord compression. Widening of the previous hemilaminectomy window was performed to remove the compressive material, and progressive improvement was noted during the following weeks. This is the first case of computed tomography myelography description of pneumorrhachis in a dog.