Lumbar vertebral canal stenosis due to marked bone overgrowth after routine hemilaminectomy in a dog

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00700-2 · Published: August 3, 2023

Simple Explanation

This case report describes a rare instance of excessive bone growth in a young dog following a routine spinal surgery (hemilaminectomy). The bone overgrowth led to a narrowing of the spinal canal, causing neurological issues. The dog initially underwent surgery to remove an epidural haemorrhage. However, a year later, it presented with pelvic limb ataxia due to bone overgrowth at the surgical site. A second surgery was performed to remove the excess bone. Although the dog showed improvement, bone overgrowth recurred, but the dog remained stable with mild ataxia.

Study Duration

18 months post-revision surgery

Participants

1 dog (13-month-old female Springer Spaniel and Border Collie crossbreed)

Evidence Level

Case Report

Key Findings

1
The case report documents excessive bone overgrowth causing vertebral stenosis following lumbar spinal decompression in a canine patient, which is the first reported case in veterinary literature.
2
Histopathological evaluation revealed normal or reactive osseous tissue with possible chondroid metaplasia and endochondral ossification, but no definitive histological reason for the bone overgrowth was identified.
3
Imaging studies showed that the bone overgrowth almost completely filled the previous laminectomy defect, reconstructing the vertebrae similarly to their pre-revision surgery state.

Research Summary

This case report details a unique occurrence of significant bone overgrowth in a young dog after undergoing a hemilaminectomy, a spinal surgery. The overgrowth resulted in lumbar vertebral canal stenosis, leading to neurological deficits. The dog initially presented with an epidural haemorrhage and underwent surgical removal. A year later, recurrent neurological signs prompted further investigation, revealing substantial bone overgrowth at the surgical site. Revision surgery was performed to address the issue. Despite a second surgery and subsequent medical management, the bone overgrowth recurred, although the dog remained stable with mild ataxia. The case highlights the potential for unexpected complications following spinal surgery in dogs.

Practical Implications

Surgical Planning

Veterinarians should be aware of the potential for bone overgrowth following hemilaminectomy in dogs, especially in young animals, and consider it as a differential diagnosis for recurrent neurological signs.

Post-operative Monitoring

Close monitoring of surgical sites is crucial to detect early signs of bone overgrowth, potentially allowing for earlier intervention and management.

Further Research

Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of bone overgrowth after spinal surgery in dogs and to identify potential preventative measures.

Study Limitations

1
CSF analysis was performed only 9 months after the revision surgery, which may not have captured the complete picture of the inflammatory response during the initial stages.
2
The absence of immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration testing for canine steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA).
3
Bone biopsies may not have been fully representative of the entire lesion.

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