Epaxial muscle atrophy is more evident in large dogs with intervertebral disc disease than in dogs with ischaemic myelopathy
Cross-sectional area (CSA) decreases and fat infiltration increases in epaxial muscles of Dachshunds with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), but less is known about large breed dogs with IVDD. The aim here was to investigate thoracolumbar epaxial muscle CSA and fat infiltration in large breed dogs...
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Published in | Research in veterinary science Vol. 146; pp. 60 - 69 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
Elsevier Ltd
01.09.2022
Elsevier Limited |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Cross-sectional area (CSA) decreases and fat infiltration increases in epaxial muscles of Dachshunds with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), but less is known about large breed dogs with IVDD. The aim here was to investigate thoracolumbar epaxial muscle CSA and fat infiltration in large breed dogs with compressive IVDD and acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE) or fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE).
This retrospective study included large breed dogs with MRI-confirmed IVDD (n = 17) and ANNPE or FCE (n = 13). The CSA and fat infiltration of the thoracolumbar M. longissimus and Mm. multifidi were assessed from T1-weighted transverse MR images using Osirix.
The CSA was significantly smaller in dogs with compressive IVDD than in dogs with non-compressive ANNPE or FCE for Mm. multifidi (p = 0.015), M. longissimus (p = 0.070), and these two muscles combined (p = 0.016). Fat infiltration in all muscle measurements was significantly higher in dogs with compressive IVDD than in dogs with non-compressive ANNPE or FCE (all P < 0.050). A significant positive correlation existed between age, duration of clinical signs, and fat infiltration, suggesting more fat infiltration in older dogs with more chronic signs.
These signs of muscle atrophy are likely caused by denervation and secondary disuse due to chronic spinal cord compression and prolonged duration of clinical signs.
•Epaxial muscle cross-sectional area was smaller in dogs with intervertebral disc disease than in control.•Fat infiltration was higher in the epaxial muscles of dogs with intervertebral disc disease than in control dogs.•Older dogs with longer lasting clinical signs had more fat infiltration in their muscles.•Findings are explained by denervation and disuse atrophy caused by prolonged mild neurological deficits and pain. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0034-5288 1532-2661 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.03.011 |