Correlation of plain radiographic and cisternal myelographic findings with clinical findings of intervertebral disc protrusion in 27 dogs

The aim of the present study was to correlate the relative accuracy of disc lesion localization by using both plain radiography and myelography with the clinical findings. Neurological examination was helpful in localizing the spinal segment affected in all the cases. Out of 27 cases, from the plain radiographs, the affected disc space was identified in 74% of cases. From the myelography, the intervertebral disc protrusion was identified in 63% cases. It was not possible to identify any abnormality in 11% of cases by both plain radiography and myelography although clinical signs were suggestive of intervertebral disc protrusion. Overall findings indicated that even though plain radiography is a good tool to identify the IVD protrusion, the accuracy of finding the exact location of the lesion is better in cisternal myelography, which correlates well with the clinical findings.