Medical conditions of the spine Flashcards
List some examples of degenerative spinal diseases
- LWN abiotrophy
- Degenerative myelopathy
What is myelodysplasia?
An anomaly of the spinal cord resulting from incomplete closure or development of the neural tube
List some examples of metabolic spinal disease
- Canine polioencephalomyelopathies
- Globoid cell leukodystrophy
List some nutritional diseases of the spinal cord
- Thiamine deficiency
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism
- Hypervitaminosis A (cat)
Where can a CSF sample be collected?
What is the maximum volume which can be collected?
- Cerebellomedullary cistern
- Lumbar subarachnoid space
- No more than 1ml/5kg
What are the landmarks for entering the cisterna magna?
What structures do you pass through?
- Intersection of a line between the occipital protuberance and the spinous process of C2 and a line between the cranial aspect of the wings of the atlas
- Pass through the skin, atlanto-occipital ligament and the meninges (dura mater and arachnoid)
What volume of CSF is recommened for analysis?
0.75 - 2ml
What is the appropriate interarcuate space for lumbar CSF collection in dogs and cats?
- L5-L6 in dogs
- L6-L7 in cats
Spinal cord has tapered into the conus medullaris
How can you determine if haemorrhage within a CSF sample is iatrogenic?
Centrifugation - clears iatrogenic haemorrhage
What is xanthochromic CSF?
Yellow or straw-tinged CSF suggesting previous subarachnoid haemorrhage (in the absence of hyperbilirubinaemia)
What is used for determining a cell count on CSF?
Fuchs-Rosenthal chamber
What is the ideal timing for performing a cell count on CSF?
What can be done if this timing cannot be achieved?
- Within 30min-1hr of collection
- Refridgeration can help to stabilise the cells
- Can add 1:1 dilution of hetastarch or autologous serum for stabilisation
- If done, a seperate, unaltered alloquat should be provided for protein analysis
What is the normal WBC count of CSF in dogs and cats?
0-5 WBC x 10^6/L (WBC/mcL)
What is the normal CSF protein content in dogs and cats?
- From cerebellomedullary cistern less than 250mg/L (25mg/dL)
- From lumbar cistern less than 450mg/L (45mg/dL)
Increased protein is nonspecific and indicates a damaged BBB or increased local intrathecal IgG production
What are the pros and cons of antigen vs antibody serology?
- Antigen testing may circumvent the problems associated with interpretation of antibody testing
- Antigen testing is insensitivie as it required the presence of the organism in the sample being tested