A case of canine discospondylitis and epidural empyema due to Salmonella species

Abstract

A case of canine discospondylitis and epidural empyema due to Salmonella species is reported. The history, clinical signs, and magnetic resonance imaging were suggestive of discospondylitis and empyema, which was subsequently confirmed by blood cultures. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of canine discospondylitis due to Salmonella species.

Figure 1

Magnetic resonance images of a dog with a discospondylitis lesion affecting its thoracic vertebral column. A — Sagittal T1-weighted image of the thoracic spine; the end plates of T4, T5, and T6 vertebral bodies appear markedly hypointense to adjacent vertebral bodies. The hypointensity is extending into the ventral aspect of the same vertebral bodies causing loss of definition. B — Sagittal T2-weighted image of the thoracic spine; the caudal end plate of T4 and the whole of T5 vertebral body appear markedly hyperintense to adjacent vertebral bodies, the intervertebral disc (IVD) space appears narrowed and the T4–T5 IVD are more hyperintense compared to the other IVDs. The soft tissues on the ventral aspect of T3–T8 vertebral bodies appear markedly hyperintense to the surrounding soft tissues. C — Transverse T1-weighted image at the level of T4–T5 IVD space; there is hyperintense (to spinal cord parenchyma) and mildly compressive extradural material on the left side, displacing the spinal cord to the right. D — Sagittal T1-weighted post-contrast image of the thoracic spine reveals diffuse contrast uptake at the vertebral bodies of T4, T5, and T6, marked contrast uptake at the T4–T5 IVD, T4–T7 extradural material and surrounding paraspinal soft tissues. E — Transverse T1-weighted post-contrast image at the level of T4–T5 IVD space; marked contrast enhancement of the extradural material, IVD and longus colli muscle.