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Fibrocartilaginous embolism
Synonym(s): Fibrocartilaginous embolic neuropathy, Ischemic myelopathy, FCE
Introduction
- Peracute onset disease, usually marked lateralization of deficits, although bilateral signs are often seen initially.
- Cause:
- Ischemic necrosis of spinal cord associated with fibrocartilaginous emboli in blood vessels.
- Cervical and lumbar spinal cord enlargements commonly involved, but can occur anywhere along spinal cord.
- Signs:
- Peracute (<6 hours) onset of non-painful, non-progressive (after 24 hours) and often asymmetric myelopathy.
- Reflect the location of the lesion. Can be UMN or LMN paresis/plegia.
- Diagnosis: signs, myelography or CT/MRI scan to rule out spinal cord compression.
- Treatment: mostly supportive care.
- Prognosis:
- Fair to good: if neurological signs are mild to moderate without profound LMN deficits.
- Very poor to hopeless: with profound LMN signs with loss of pain sensation.
Print off the owner factsheet Ischemic myelopathy Ischemic myelopathy to give to your client.
Presenting signs
- Peracute onset.
- Often associated with trauma or exercise.
- Paresis and ataxia Ataxia.
- Sudden onset initial pain which rapidly resolves.
- Can be markedly asymmetrical or unilateral.
- Spinal hyperesthesia can be present initially but is absent after the onset of ischemia.
Age predisposition
- Any age group.
- Been confirmed histologically in young (8-13 weeks of age) Irish Wolfhounds Irish Wolfhound.
- Most are between 3-7 years.
Breed/Species predisposition
- Frequently large, or giant (non-chondrodystrophic) breed.
- Chondrodystrophoid breeds have a negligible incidence.
- Miniature Schnauzer Schnauzer: miniature.
- Shetland Sheepdog Shetland Sheepdog.
Cost considerations
- Intensive care can be expensive.
- Supportive care. This is a non-surgical disease.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Mechanism unknown - embolism most commonly occurs in the spinal cord arteries, although can be associated with veins or both arteries and veins.
- Fibrocartilaginous emboli thought to be intervertebral disk material (nucleus pulposus).
- In very young animals growth plate cartilage is another possible source.
- Possible increases in intra-abdominal pressure may alter blood flow dynamics and direction to the spine, intervetebral disks and spinal cord, allowing diskal embolization of the spinal cord to occur.
Predisposing factors
General- A very high percentage of dogs have been exercising at the time of the embolism.
Specific
- Hyperlipoproteinemia Hyperlipidemia has been suggested to predispose to this condition in some breeds, eg Miniature Schnauzer and Shetland Sheepdog.
Pathophysiology
- The ischemic injury caused by the arterial obstruction initiates a series of biochemical and metabolic events which result in neuronal and glial cell dath. The grey matter is affected more severely due to its greater metabolic demand.
Timecourse
- Immediate onset following location of embolus.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Bartholomew K A, Stover K E, Olby N J et al (2016) Clinical characteristics of canine fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCE): a systematic review of 393 cases (1973-2013). Vet Rec 179, 650 PubMed.
- Fenn J, Dress R, Volk H A et al (2016) Inter- and Intraobserver agreement for diagnosing presumptive ischemic myelopathy and acute noncompressive nucleus pulposus extrusion in dogs using magnetic resonance imaging. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 57, 33-40 PubMed.
- Fenn J, Drees R, Volk H A et al (2016) Comparison of clinical signs and outcomes between dogs with presumptive ischemic myelopathy and dogs with acute noncompressive nucleus pulposus extrusion. JAVMA 249, 767-775 PubMed.
- De Risio L, Platt S R (2010) Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 40, 859-869 PubMed.
- De Risio L, Adams V, Dennis R et al (2008) Association of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings with outcome in dogs suspected to have ischemic myelopathy: 50 cases (2000-2006). JAVMA 233, 129-135 PubMed.
- De Risio L, Adams V, Dennis R et al (2007) Magnetic resonance imaging findings and clinical associations in 52 dogs with suspected ischemic myelopathy. J Vet Intern Med 21, 1290-1298 PubMed.
- Ueno H, Shimizu J, Uzuka Y et al (2005) Fibrocartilaginous embolism in a chondrodystropoid breed dog. Aust Vet J 83, 142-144 PubMed.
- Gandini G, Cizinauska S, Lang J et al (2003) Fibrocartilaginous embolism in 75 dogs: clinical findings and factors influencing the recovery rate. J Small Anim Pract 44, 76-80 PubMed.
- Junker K, van den Ingh T S, Bossard M M et al (2000) Fibrocartilaginosu embolism of the spinal cord (FCE) in juvenile Irish Wolfhounds. Vet Q 22, 154-146 PubMed.
- Cauzinille L et al (1996) Fibrocartilaginous embolism of the spinal cord in dogs - review of 36 histologically confirmed cases and retrospective study of 26 suspected cases. J Vet Intern Med 10 (4), 241-245 PubMed.
- Oliver J E (1993) What is your neurologic diagnosis? Infarction of spinal cord caused by fibrocartilaginous embolus. JAVMA 203 (1), 49-50 PubMed.
- Doige C E et al (1983) Fibrocartilaginous embolism and ischemic myelopathy in a four month old German Shepherd Dog. Can J Comp Med 47 (4), 499-500 PubMed.
- Gill C W (1979) Case report - fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in a dog. Can Vet J 20 (10), 273-278 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Neer T M (1992) Fibrocartilaginous emboli. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 22(4), 1017-1026 (Review).
- Cook J R Jr (1988) Fibrocartilaginous emboli. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 18(3), 581-592 (Review).