Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover Vergleichende Studie zur

Publikation 3
On sagittal and transverse T1-weighted images (TR: 330 ms, TE 12 ms, slice
thickness 3 mm) the described intramedullary lesion was normointense, while the
muscular abnormality showed a mildly hypointense signal. After the administration of
contrast-medium m (0.2 mmol/kg IV) no pathological enhancement of the spinal cord
but missing physiological enhancement of the described paraspinal muscle and the
body of the fifth lumbar vertebra was present. Gradient-echo magnetic resonance
images (TR: 880 ms, TE 26 ms, slice thickness 3 mm) in transverse plane provided
an hyperintensity of the changed spinal cord parenchyma, whereas the described
paraspinal musculature showed an inhomogeneous hyperintens signal with multifocal
hypointense areas as an indication of necrosis within this muscle group. Altogether,
MRI findings supported the clinical differential diagnosis and indicated profound focal
ischemic necrosis, particularly of the grey matter in the caudal lumbar and cranial
sacral segments of the spinal column.
Despite intense physical therapy and continuation of medication for one week,
the calf’s ability to stand did not improve. In consideration of the poor prognosis and
in consent of animal welfare, the calf was thus euthanized and submitted for postmortem
examination.
Pathological examination revealed a mild to moderate, focal subacute
hematoma with necrosis, mineralization, resorptive lymphohistiocytic inflammation,
hemosiderosis and granulation-tissue formation within the muscular and
retroperitoneal tissues along the puncture channel and focally surrounding the
abdominal aorta. On the left side of the abdominal aorta, on the level of the 4 th
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