Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs

Holocord syringomyelia (HSM) is characterized by a continuous spinal cord cavitation along its entire length and is currently poorly documented in dogs. This retrospective multicentric case series investigates the clinical and MRI findings in 18 dogs with HSM. The median age at presentation was 82 m...

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Main Authors: Despoina Douralidou, Lorenzo Mari, Sophie Wyatt, Juan Jose Minguez, Patricia Alvarez Fernandez, Carlo Anselmi, Christoforos Posporis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1514441/full
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author Despoina Douralidou
Lorenzo Mari
Sophie Wyatt
Juan Jose Minguez
Patricia Alvarez Fernandez
Carlo Anselmi
Christoforos Posporis
author_facet Despoina Douralidou
Lorenzo Mari
Sophie Wyatt
Juan Jose Minguez
Patricia Alvarez Fernandez
Carlo Anselmi
Christoforos Posporis
author_sort Despoina Douralidou
collection DOAJ
description Holocord syringomyelia (HSM) is characterized by a continuous spinal cord cavitation along its entire length and is currently poorly documented in dogs. This retrospective multicentric case series investigates the clinical and MRI findings in 18 dogs with HSM. The median age at presentation was 82 months (range 9–108 months) and French Bulldogs were overrepresented (50%). Signs of myelopathy attributed to HSM were detected in 12 dogs (67%), spinal pain/paresthesia/allodynia in eight (44%), and four dogs (22%) had no HSM-associated signs. The most common neuroanatomical localization was C1-C5 spinal cord segments. On MRI, the cranial limit of HSM was at C1 vertebra in seven (39%) and at C2 in 11 dogs (61%). The caudal limit extended to L3 in four dogs (22%), L4 or L5 in six dogs (33%) each, and L6 in two dogs (11%). The conus medullaris terminated at L5 in one dog (6%), L6 in 11 (61%), and L7 in six dogs (33%). Seventeen dogs (94%) exhibited MRI features of Chiari-like and/or other intracranial/cranio-cervical junction malformations. One dog (6%) was treated surgically, 11 (61%) medically, and six (33%) received no treatment. Over a median follow-up of 12 months (range 2–65 months) in 16 dogs, one dog (6%) improved, nine (56%) deteriorated, four (25%) were static, and two (13%) remained free of HSM-associated signs. This is the first study to describe canine HSM, highlighting a possible breed predisposition in French Bulldogs. The frequent occurrence of myelopathy and disease progression underscores the need for further research into the underlying etiopathogenesis, natural disease evolution, and response to therapeutic interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-1fdd22d4c43b433989cf5ec03d6e1bf22025-01-08T06:11:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-01-011110.3389/fvets.2024.15144411514441Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogsDespoina Douralidou0Lorenzo Mari1Sophie Wyatt2Juan Jose Minguez3Patricia Alvarez Fernandez4Carlo Anselmi5Christoforos Posporis6The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre, Marlow, United KingdomThe Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre, Marlow, United KingdomQueen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United KingdomPride Veterinary Referrals, IVC Evidensia Group, Derby, United KingdomPride Veterinary Referrals, IVC Evidensia Group, Derby, United KingdomBlaise Veterinary Referral Hospital, IVC Evidensia Group, Birmingham, United KingdomPride Veterinary Referrals, IVC Evidensia Group, Derby, United KingdomHolocord syringomyelia (HSM) is characterized by a continuous spinal cord cavitation along its entire length and is currently poorly documented in dogs. This retrospective multicentric case series investigates the clinical and MRI findings in 18 dogs with HSM. The median age at presentation was 82 months (range 9–108 months) and French Bulldogs were overrepresented (50%). Signs of myelopathy attributed to HSM were detected in 12 dogs (67%), spinal pain/paresthesia/allodynia in eight (44%), and four dogs (22%) had no HSM-associated signs. The most common neuroanatomical localization was C1-C5 spinal cord segments. On MRI, the cranial limit of HSM was at C1 vertebra in seven (39%) and at C2 in 11 dogs (61%). The caudal limit extended to L3 in four dogs (22%), L4 or L5 in six dogs (33%) each, and L6 in two dogs (11%). The conus medullaris terminated at L5 in one dog (6%), L6 in 11 (61%), and L7 in six dogs (33%). Seventeen dogs (94%) exhibited MRI features of Chiari-like and/or other intracranial/cranio-cervical junction malformations. One dog (6%) was treated surgically, 11 (61%) medically, and six (33%) received no treatment. Over a median follow-up of 12 months (range 2–65 months) in 16 dogs, one dog (6%) improved, nine (56%) deteriorated, four (25%) were static, and two (13%) remained free of HSM-associated signs. This is the first study to describe canine HSM, highlighting a possible breed predisposition in French Bulldogs. The frequent occurrence of myelopathy and disease progression underscores the need for further research into the underlying etiopathogenesis, natural disease evolution, and response to therapeutic interventions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1514441/fullmyelopathyChiari-likemalformationFrench bulldogtetraparesis
spellingShingle Despoina Douralidou
Lorenzo Mari
Sophie Wyatt
Juan Jose Minguez
Patricia Alvarez Fernandez
Carlo Anselmi
Christoforos Posporis
Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
myelopathy
Chiari-like
malformation
French bulldog
tetraparesis
title Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs
title_full Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs
title_fullStr Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs
title_full_unstemmed Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs
title_short Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs
title_sort holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs
topic myelopathy
Chiari-like
malformation
French bulldog
tetraparesis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1514441/full
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AT lorenzomari holocordsyringomyeliain18dogs
AT sophiewyatt holocordsyringomyeliain18dogs
AT juanjoseminguez holocordsyringomyeliain18dogs
AT patriciaalvarezfernandez holocordsyringomyeliain18dogs
AT carloanselmi holocordsyringomyeliain18dogs
AT christoforosposporis holocordsyringomyeliain18dogs