Vacuum phenomenon associated with triple cervical vertebral arch and ligamentum flavum anomaly resulting in severe stenotic myelopathy in a dog

Abstract

A six-year-old American Staffordshire terrier with proprioceptive deficits of the right thoracic and pelvic limb was referred for further work-up. Cervical computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a triple cervical canal stenosis with dorsal spinal cord compression and concomitant compressive myelopathy caused by vertebral arch and ligamentum flavum proliferation and hypertrophy. Vacuum phenomena were noticed within the ligamentum flavum tissue, a previously unreported location for vacuum phenomena, which are primarily reported within degenerative joints and intervertebral discs. Decompressive surgery and rehabilitation resulted in a complete clinical recovery.