Caudal lumbar subarachnoid diverticulum in a Cockapoo

TL;DR

A Cockapoo was diagnosed with a rare spinal condition called a subarachnoid diverticulum, which was successfully treated with surgery.

Contribution

This case report presents a rare spinal condition in a Cockapoo, highlighting its diagnostic and clinical features.

Findings

MRI identified a subarachnoid diverticulum at L6-7 containing cerebrospinal fluid.

Surgical confirmation and decompression led to full clinical resolution.

The condition initially mimicked an intervertebral disc extrusion.

Abstract

We describe a Cockapoo with a subarachnoid diverticulum (Type III), at the level of L6-7. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a circumferential dilatation of the dural sac, extending from the cranial endplate of L6 to the midbody of L7, containing T2-weighted hyperintense and T1-weighted hypointense material that suppressed on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences, consistent with cerebrospinal fluid. An exploratory dorsal laminectomy confirmed a subarachnoid diverticulum (Type III), and a durotomy was performed. After surgical decompression, full clinical resolution was observed. This case had a clinical presentation that mimicked an intervertebral disc extrusion.

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