Traumatic rib head subluxation through the intervertebral foramen causing spinal cord contusive injury in a cat. Issue 1 (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lisiewicz, Natalie; Green, Matthew; Targett, Mike; Lowrie, Mark
• Is Part Of: Journal of feline medicine and surgery open reports. Volume 6:Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Traffic collisions -- computed tomography -- CT -- injuries -- spinal cord -- dislocation -- luxation -- vehicular -- traffic crashes -- x-ray; Cats -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cats -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 636.8089
• DOI: 10.1177/2055116920929260
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-1169

Abstract

Case summary: A 4-year-old cat involved in a road traffic accident presented with paraparesis, which was worse on the right-hand side. Neurolocalisation was to the T3–L3 spinal cord segments. Survey radiographs showed rib fractures but no definitive diagnosis for the paraparesis. CT revealed fracture of the dorsal rim and a T9 rib subluxation through the intervertebral foramen at T8–T9. This caused a contusive spinal injury. Treatment consisted of rest and analgesia. The cat recovered well, with the owner reporting no abnormalities 5 months following the injury. Relevance and novel information: Road traffic accidents are a common cause of injury in the cat population, with a significant number having thoracic injuries. These include rib injures such as fractures. This is the first reported case of a traumatic rib subluxation causing a contusive injury in the spinal cord of any species. Previously reported rib subluxations have been seen in humans with spinal deformities. Conservative management in this case was sufficient.