Diagnostic imaging of the brain and spinal cord 1-2

Question 1

Is it possible for animals to have too little, or too many vertebrae?

Answer 1

Yes, it is common.

Question 2

What disease process are we seeing here? Explain what you are seeing.

Answer 2

IVDD

Question 3

What are the three intraluminal lesion locations?

Answer 3

 Extradural - outside of the meninges protrude into the vertebral canal
 Intradural/extramedullary - inside the meninges but not associated with the cord itself
 Intramedullary or intrinsic - rising from the CNS tissue itself

Question 4

Does a CT scan or a myelogram give us more information?

Answer 4

A CT scan

Question 5

What are the advantages of doing a CT scan?

Answer 5

 Excellent contrast resolution
 Excellent spatial resolution
 Quantitative
 Image processing after acquisition
 High detail cross-sectional images
 Minimal anatomic superimposition
 Ability to reformat to view anatomy in any plane

Question 6

What is a myelogram?

Answer 6

A myelogram is a diagnostic imaging test generally done by a radiologist. It uses a contrast dye and X-rays or computed tomography (CT) to look for problems in the spinal canal.

Question 7

In what instances would you use a CT?

Answer 7

o Trauma
o Skeletal lesions
o TMJ disease
o Sinonasal diseases
o Otitis

Question 8

In what instances would you use MRI?

Answer 8

• Brain
• spinal cord
• cranial nerves