Spinal Trauma

Question 1

What are the clinical signs of spinal trauma?

Answer 1

Acute
Non progressive
Painful

Question 2

What is the most important prognostic indicator after spinal cord trauma?

Answer 2

Deep pain- if absent, prognosis is poor

20% will develop myelomalacia

Question 3

What are the imaging options for spinal trauma?

Answer 3

Lateral and cross table vds radiographs on a board

CT most accurate method of assessing vertebral damage

MR imaging shows parenchyma

Question 4

What are the common sites of spinal fractures?

Answer 4

Atlanto-occipital
Atlantoaxial
Cervicothoracic
Thoracolumbar
Lumbosacral

Question 5

What percentage of dogs have multiple fractures and what does this necessitate?

Answer 5

10%

Important to evaluate all spinal segments

Question 6

What are the three compartments of the vertebral body and what is considered unstable?

Answer 6

Dorsal, middle and ventral

If two are damaged or displaced it is considered unstable

Question 7

What cases of spinal trauma can be managed conservatively?

Answer 7

Stable spine injury
1 compartment
No compression (CT/MR)

Question 8

What constitutes bladder care in spinal injury?

Answer 8

Indwelling catheter 3 days
Expression/catheterisation 4-6 times per day
Treat UTI
With UMN bladder, phenoxybenzamine and diazepam can make bladder expression easier and less traumatic

Question 9

What is the prognosis for recovery if cervical fracture does not die from acute respiratory dysfunction?

Answer 9

Good

Question 10

What is the prognosis for recovery in thoracic or lumbar spinal injury with intact voluntary movement?

Answer 10

Good

Question 11

What is the prognosis for recovery in animals that are paralysed but retain deep pain and normal bladder function?

Answer 11

Fair, with neurological deficits

Question 12

What is the prognosis for recovery if the animal presents with no deep pain?

Answer 12

Poor