Heaselgrave Thomas, De Risio Luisa, Domínguez Elisabet, Scarpante Elena, Mignan Thomas, Alcoverro Emili, Spinillo Simone, Ferreira Alexandra, Samarani Francesca, Espinosa Pablo, Cagnotti Giulia, Sánchez Lluís
Neurology/Neurosurgery Service, Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service, Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, Solihull, UK.
Mars Veterinary Health, Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, Solihull, UK.
J Feline Med Surg. 2025 Jul;27(7):1098612X251349712. doi: 10.1177/1098612X251349712. Epub 2025 Jul 22.
ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, MRI findings, treatment and outcome in cats presumptively diagnosed with intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusions.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of medical records and MRI data from cats presumptively diagnosed with intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusions. Long-term outcome (⩾6 months) was assessed through medical records, questionnaires completed by the owners or both.ResultsA total of 12 cats met the inclusion criteria. All presented with peracute or acute clinical signs, with nine having confirmed (n = 3) or possible (n = 6) external trauma based on history, physical examination or MRI findings. Seven cats were ambulatory and five were non-ambulatory. Eight cats presented with urinary incontinence; none exhibited faecal incontinence. Neuroanatomical localisation included the T3-L3 (n = 7) and L4-S3 (n = 5) spinal cord segments. MRI showed an intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion at the following sites: T12-T13 (n = 1), T13-L1 (n = 1), L1-L2 (n = 2), L2-L3 (n = 2), L4-L5 (n = 3) and L5-L6 (n = 3). All cats underwent treatment and were discharged after a median hospitalisation time of 4 days (range 3-14). All non-ambulatory cats with available follow-up information (4/5) regained ambulation by the time of the short-term (<6 weeks) or long-term (⩾6 months) assessment. Moreover, all cats either retained or regained urinary continence by the time of discharge, the short-term (<6 weeks) or the long-term (⩾6 months) assessment. Overall, nine cats achieved a successful outcome and were considered functional pets at the short-term (<6 weeks) and/or long-term (⩾6 months) follow-up. Two cats were lost to follow-up, and one cat had perceived persistent generalised discomfort.Conclusions and relevanceMost cats presumptively diagnosed with an intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion showed a favourable outcome with treatment in this study. This condition should be considered in cats presenting with peracute or acute signs of T3-L3 or L4-S3 spinal cord dysfunction, especially if there is a history or indication of trauma.
目的
本研究旨在描述疑似患有髓内椎间盘突出的猫的临床特征、MRI表现、治疗方法及预后情况。
方法
对疑似患有髓内椎间盘突出的猫的病历和MRI数据进行回顾性分析。通过病历、主人填写的问卷或两者结合来评估长期预后（≥6个月）。
结果
共有12只猫符合纳入标准。所有猫均表现为超急性或急性临床症状，其中9只根据病史、体格检查或MRI结果确诊（n = 3）或可能（n = 6）存在外部创伤。7只猫可自主活动，5只不能自主活动。8只猫出现尿失禁；均未出现大便失禁。神经解剖定位包括T3 - L3脊髓节段（n = 7）和L4 - S3脊髓节段（n = 5）。MRI显示在以下部位存在髓内椎间盘突出：T12 - T13（n = 1）、T13 - L1（n = 1）、L1 - L2（n = 2）、L2 - L3（n = 2）、L4 - L5（n = 3）和L5 - L6（n = 3）。所有猫均接受了治疗，中位住院时间为4天（范围3 - 14天）后出院。所有有随访信息的不能自主活动的猫（4/5）在短期（<6周）或长期（≥6个月）评估时恢复了自主活动能力。此外，所有猫在出院时、短期（<6周）或长期（≥6个月）评估时均保留或恢复了尿失禁。总体而言，9只猫在短期（<6周）和/或长期（≥6个月）随访中取得了成功的预后，被认为是功能正常的宠物。2只猫失访，1只猫仍感觉有持续的全身不适。
结论及意义
在本研究中，大多数疑似患有髓内椎间盘突出的猫经治疗后预后良好。对于出现T3 - L3或L4 - S3脊髓功能障碍超急性或急性症状的猫，尤其是有创伤史或迹象的猫，应考虑这种疾病。
