This week’s case is a 15-year-old female neutered Dachshund with several weeks history of non-ambulatory paraparesis. The tentative diagnosis is T3-L3 myelopathy. What are your findings?
Findings
On radiographs of the spine, there is scleroisis of the L6 vertebra most apparent on the lateral projection. On the ventrodorsal projection, there is loss of the cortical bone of the lamina at this level. The intervertebral foramen at L6-7 is irregular and enlarged. There is multifocal intervertebral disc space narrowing including T12-13, T13-L1, and L3-4, as well as spondylosis deformans throughout the spine.
Differential Diagnosis
The lysis and sclerosis of the L6 vertebra are consistent with an aggressive lesion, most likely neoplasia.
Diagnosis
An MRI was performed, demonstrating a compressive mass in the L5-L7 region with spinal cord compression. Fine needle aspirate revealed malignant neoplasia, most likely sarcoma.