Comparação das escalas de avaliação funcional de cães com lesões medulares compressivas provocadas por hérnias de disco

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a highly incapacitating neurological syndrome in both humans and dogs. In dogs, intervertebral disc disease is the main cause of spinal cord injury and has been estimated to account for 1-2% of all cases admitted in veterinary hospitals worldwide. Despite all the advances in the treatment of this condition, compressive lesions such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), usually result in permanent sequel. In order to minimize this effect, it is of paramount importance the utilization of techniques for the accurate functional evaluation of post-lesion treatment. The objective of this study is to compare the applicability of functional scales such as Frankel (original and modified), Olby and Texas, in dogs with compressive lesions of the spinal cord resulting from disc herniations with severe, mild to moderate symptoms. To that end, ten dogs with symptoms and radiological confirmation of IVDD by myelography exam were independently evaluated in the Frankel original, modified, Olby and Texas scale before and after hemilaminectomy surgery. These scales proved to be very useful tools in the determination of both the choice of treatment and prognosis in dogs with thoracolumbar SCI from disc herniations. The Olby and Texas scales were the most sensitive in the detection of alterations in the functional progression in those animals.