Adverse events associated with cerebellomedullary cistern cerebrospinal fluid collection in 150 dogs with suspected intracranial disease: a retrospective case series

Authors: Storrer A, Child G, Barnes TS, Walton S, King T, MacKay BM, Chan CM
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 53, Issue 1, pp 19-28, Mar 2023
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Subject Terms: Clinical examination, Fluid, Head/neck
Article class: Clinical Report

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Abstract:

Objective: To document complications when performing cerebellomedullary cistern cerebrospinal fluid collection in dogs with clinical signs indicative of intracranial disease, estimate the frequency of these complications and identify risk factors associated with their occurrence.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Procedure: Medical records were reviewed for 150 dogs with clinical signs indicative of intracranial disease undergoing cerebellomedullary cistern cerebrospinal fluid collection. Signalment, neurological signs, anaesthesia information, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, adverse events, and diagnosis were recorded. Adverse events were classified based on clinically relevant complications and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with these complications.

Results: Clinically relevant complications occurred in 10.0% of cases with the most common complication recorded as deterioration in neurological status following spinal fluid collection. Risk factors found to be associated with the development of complications were rapid progression of neurological signs, severe forebrain or caudal fossa disease, multifocal/diffuse central nervous system disease or diagnosis of pleocytosis.

Conclusion: Cerebellomedullary cistern cerebrospinal fluid collection is associated with a low risk of complication. An increased risk of complications was seen in dogs presenting with signs indicative of severe forebrain disease, caudal fossa disease, multifocal central nervous system disease or a rapidly deteriorating clinical course on presentation.

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