Spinal epidural empyema in a dog as a suspected consequence of a post-neutering infection

犬脊髓硬膜外脓肿，疑似绝育后感染所致

Emma Deards, Ewelina Korzybska, Simon Platt, Anna Tauro

First published: 08 September 2022 

https://doi.org/10.1002/vrc2.486

Abstract 摘要

An 8-month-old, male German shepherd dog presented for acute collapse following orchiectomy. Pyrexia, scrotal inflammation and purulent discharge from the surgical incision were found and medical therapy including antimicrobials was initiated for suspected septic shock. The dog was referred 2 days later paraplegic with absent nociception. Blood work revealed neutrophilia. Magnetic resonance imaging supported a presumptive diagnosis of C7–T2 spinal epidural empyema, while computed tomography imaging showed signs associated with scrotal inflammation with multifocal lymphadenopathies and splenic lymphoid hyperplasia. Histopathology of the epidural material obtained through decompressive surgery revealed a neutrophilic to pyogranulomatous inflammation. Blood, urine and epidural material cultures were negative. The dog failed to improve and was euthanased. This study suggests that spinal epidural empyema could result from routine procedures. Prompt recognition of specific constellation of clinical signs (i.e., pyrexia and spinal pain) and biochemical abnormalities (i.e., neutrophilia) as a neurological emergency and appropriate intervention may alter prognosis.

一例8个月龄大的雄性德国牧羊犬在睾丸切除术后出现急性衰竭。发现发热、阴囊炎症和手术切口脓性分泌物，并对疑似感染性休克开始药物治疗，包括抗菌药物。2天后，该犬被转诊，主要原因是双后肢麻痹且无痛觉。血液检查显示嗜中性粒细胞增多症。磁共振成像支持C7-T2脊髓硬膜外脓肿的假设性诊断，而计算机断层成像显示存在与阴囊炎症伴多灶性淋巴结病和脾脏淋巴样增生相关的征象。通过减压手术获得的硬膜外物质的组织病理学显示嗜中性粒细胞到脓肉芽肿性炎症。血、尿、硬膜外物质培养均为阴性。这例犬没有好转，被安乐了。本研究提示脊髓硬膜外脓肿可能由常规手术引起。及时识别特定的临床症状(如发热和脊柱疼痛)和生化异常(如嗜中性粒细胞增多症)作为神经急症，并采取适当的干预措施可能会改变预后。

CONFLICT OF INTEREST 利益冲突

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

作者声明他们没有利益冲突。

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