Clinical presentation of intervertebral disc herniations in cats
The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence and to describe the clinical and diagnostic imaging features of the distinct types of feline intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH).
Researchers reviewed medical records and imaging studies for cats diagnosed with IVDH between January 2008 and October 2020. Information obtained from the clinical records included signalment, clinical presentation, the presence of spinal hyperesthesia and neurolocalization. Diagnostic imaging findings, including type — i.e., intervertebral disc extrusion [IVDE], intervertebral disc protrusion [IVDP] or acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE), site and number of IVDHs — were recorded. The association between breed, age, sex, duration and severity of neurological signs, the presence of spinal pain and MRI features was evaluated.
The team enrolled 43 cats in the study. A total of 50 IVDHs were identified: 39 cats were diagnosed with a single IVDH and four with multiple IVDHs. The most common type of IVDH was ANNPE (n = 22), followed by IVDP (n = 19) and IVDE (n = 9). Neuroanatomical localization included L4-S3 (n = 19/43), T3-L3 (n = 18/43) and C1-C5 (n = 6/43). Cats with a single IVDH were statistically significantly associated with a diagnosis of ANNPE (P = 0.023) compared with cats with multiple IVDHs affected by IVDP (P = 0.004). Males were more commonly affected by IVDE (P = 0.020) and females by ANNPE (P = 0.020). Cats with IVDP had a longer duration of clinical signs (P <0.001) than cats with ANNPE and demonstrated milder neurological deficits (P = 0.005). IVDEs were statistically significantly associated with spinal hyperesthesia (P = 0.013), while ANNPEs were not (P = 0.014).
In conclusion, ANNPE, IVDP and IVDE are each associated with distinctive clinical scenarios. Thoracolumbar and mid-to-caudal lumbar regions are the most affected, followed by the cranial cervical spine segment.
Leonardo Bibbiani, et al. “Prevalence, clinical presentation and MRI of intervertebral disc herniations in cats.” J Feline Med Surg. 2022 Sep 29;1098612X221121893. doi: 10.1177/1098612X221121893.
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