Case Report: Cervical internal vertebral venous plexus thrombosis diagnosed using time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography in a dog

TL;DR

A dog was diagnosed with cervical venous thrombosis using a non-contrast MRI technique, expanding imaging options in veterinary neurology.

Contribution

This is the first reported use of TOF-MRA for diagnosing spinal venous thrombosis in a dog.

Findings

TOF-MRA detected focal signal void and venous dilation consistent with IVVP thrombosis in a dog.

The technique provided non-invasive, contrast-free diagnosis of spinal venous thrombosis.

The case highlights the utility of 3D imaging in identifying vascular abnormalities in veterinary neurology.

Abstract

Time-of-Flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a non-contrast imaging technique used for vascular assessment but underexplored in veterinary spinal imaging. This case report presents the use of TOF-MRA at 3 Tesla to diagnose cervical internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP) thrombosis in a dog, advancing the application of three-dimensional imaging in veterinary neurology.

A 13-year-old castrated male Siberian Husky presented with acute cervical pain, left thoracic limb lameness, and generalized tonic–clonic epileptic seizures. Laboratory findings revealed mild neutrophilia (10.83 × 10^9/L), elevated fibrinogen (404 mg/dL), and a urinary tract infection (bacteriuria, leukocyturia, and proteinuria).

Pre- and post-contrast MRI examination of the head revealed no abnormalities of the brain. A delayed post-contrast conventional T2-weighted MRI sequence of the cervical spine demonstrated focal loss of normal flow void of the left IVVP at the C4-C5 level. Three-dimensional TOF-MRA showed a corresponding focal signal void in the left ventral IVVP from C4 to C5 and an associated venous dilation consistent with thrombosis.

This case demonstrates TOF-MRA’s potential as a non-invasive, contrast-free method for diagnosing spinal venous thrombosis in dogs. It underscores the importance of vascular imaging in dogs with acute neurological signs, offering valuable insights for veterinary practice and future research.

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