Today’s case is a 2-year-old female neutered Pit bull terrier. Fell off bed 10 days previously, acute paraparesis. What are your findings?
Findings
There is a fracture of the caudal end plate of the L4 vetebral body with adjacent sclerosis and lysis. There is ventral spondylosis deformans at this site. Mineral opacity material is present in the intervertebral foramen. The remainder of the vertebral bodies appear normal. On flexed and extended views, there is no evidence of instability.
Diagnosis
Fracture and osteomyelitis. It is unclear which pathology is primary, and a migrating foreign body could also be involved.
Discussion
An MRI was performed confirming the osteolysis and inflammatory changes in the vertebral body. Contrast enhancing tissue consistent with empyema was visible involving the meninges, as well as inflammation of the musculature and soft tissues.
