References
Vertebral fractures and luxations in dogs and cats, part 1: evaluation of diagnosis and prognosis
Abstract
External traumatic injuries such as those caused by road traffic accidents, fights or falls in dogs and cats, can result in vertebral column fracture or luxation. The key to successfully managing such cases is an efficient and accurate initial assessment, followed by stabilisation and immobilisation, to ensure adequate spinal cord blood flow and oxygenation. The crucial prognostic factor for vertebral column fractures or luxations is the presence or absence of nociception. Definitive diagnosis relies on computed tomography since changes, such as fractures of the articular processes, may be missed on radiography. The most appropriate diagnostic method for assessing the severity of the spinal cord injury is magnetic resonance imaging.
Most neurological spinal cord presentations in small animal practice are caused by non-traumatic diseases, such as intervertebral disc disease (Olby et al, 2003; Marioni-Henry et al, 2004; Fluehmann et al, 2006). However, fractures and luxations of the vertebral column can cause serious spinal cord injury (Olby et al, 2003; Bruce et al, 2008; Bali et al, 2009). In general, vertebral fractures and luxations represent approximately 10% of all neurological presentations in dogs and cats (Marioni-Henry et al, 2004; Fluehmann et al, 2006; Simpson et al, 2009).
Fractures or luxations of the vertebral column are a common consequence of external trauma (McKee, 1990; Olby et al, 2003; Marioni-Henry et al, 2004). More than half (60%) of spinal cord injuries, in dogs not affected by intervertebral disc disease, are a result of motor vehicle accidents (Simpson et al, 2009). Specifically, road traffic accidents are the cause of 41–63% of vertebral luxations and fractures (Bruce et al, 2008; Bali et al, 2009; Hettlich et al, 2010).
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