Spontaneous regression of a cervical intervertebral disc extrusion in French bulldogs documented on MRI after medical management

Abstract

Spontaneous regression of cervical intervertebral disc extrusion (cIVDE) has been reported in people. It has also been reported in a dog after four months of medical management. Two French bulldogs were presented to two different referral centres for signs of neck pain or myoclonic twitching. Both were diagnosed with cIVDE on MRI and were managed medically. One dog re-presented after six weeks with recurrent signs while it was still being strictly rested. Repeat MRI showed a new disc extrusion with apparent spontaneous regression of the initial cIVDE. The same re-presentation occurred in the second dog with a year intermission. These two cases demonstrate that spontaneous regression of intervertebral disc extrusion is a phenomenon occurring in the cervical spine of dogs. Notably one dog had a new disc extrusion during a period of rest, thus illustrating that further work is needed to understand how best to utilise medical management and crate rest.

Spontaneous resorption of a C7–T1 intervertebral disc extrusion in a Cavalier King Charles spaniel confirmed via low‐field MRI

“…Raimondi et al 9 documented spontaneous resorption of a C3-C4 IVDE in a cocker spaniel, confirmed via high-field MRI following 4 months of conservative therapy. Similarly, Argent et al 10 reported two French bulldogs of which spontaneous resorption of a c-IVDE was documented on follow-up MRI. One case with a spontaneously resorbed C3-C4 IVDE, and the other with a spontaneously resorbed C4-C5 IVDE were documented on follow-up MRI 5 weeks and 4 months following conservative therapy, respectively.…”

“…documented spontaneous resorption of a C3–C4 IVDE in a cocker spaniel, confirmed via high‐field MRI following 4 months of conservative therapy. Similarly, Argent et al 10 . reported two French bulldogs of which spontaneous resorption of a c‐IVDE was documented on follow‐up MRI.…”