| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of concurrent measurement of
serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunit (pNF-H) concentration and intramedullary
T2W hyperintensity in paraplegic to paraplegic dogs. Our hypothesis was that concurrent
measurement of these would provide a more accurate prediction of functional outcome in
dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). A prospective case-control
clinical study was designed using 94 dogs with acute onset of thoracolumbar IVDH. The
association of serum pNF-H concentration, T2W hyperintensity on sagittal MRI (T2H/L2),
deep pain perception and surgical outcome were evaluated with logistic regression analysis
after three months for all 94 surgically treated dogs. Sensitivity to predict
non-ambulatory outcome was compared among pNF-H and T2H/L2 and combination of both.
Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum pNF-H concentration and T2H/L2 were
significantly correlated with surgical outcome (P<0.05); however, deep
pain perception was not (P=0.41). The results of logistic regression
analysis indicated that the odds ratios of unsuccessful long-term outcome were 2.6 for
serum pNF-H concentration, 1.9 for T2H/L2 and 2.3 for deep pain sensation. The sensitivity
and specificity to predict non-ambulatory outcome for using serum parameter pNF-H>2.6
ng/ml, using T2H/L2 value of>0.84 and using both
serum pNF-H and T2H/L2, were 95% and 75.7%, 65% and 86.5%, and 90.0% and 97.5%,
respectively. Therefore, combined measurements of serum pNF-H and T2H/L2 might be useful
for predicting long-term outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar IVDH. |
