Mise au point d'une technique échoguidée pour la réalisation des ponctions lombaires chez le chien

SUMMARY
Subarachnoid lumbar puncture is commonly used in the dog for diagnostic reasons:
cerebrospinal fluid collection and/or execution of a myelography. This work is based on 2 studies. The
first study has established the percutaneous sonographic anatomy of the lumbar region in the dog with
ex-vivo (2 cadavers) and then in-vivo (4 dogs) experiences, and has compared sonographic images with
anatomic frozen sections. With the help of sonographic landmarks established in study 1, the second
study, has developed an ultrasonographic-guided technique to introduce a spinal needle in the
subarachnoid lumbar space on 2 cadavers. Then, this procedure has been used in 5 anesthetized dogs.
The sonographic anatomy of the lumbar region has been established by means of transverse and
longitudinal (sagittal and parasagittal) images, highlighting bony structures as spinous processes, the
floor of the vertebral canal and articular processes. The ultrasonographic-guided technique has been
developed using the contiguous articular facets of the fifth and sixth lumbar vertebrae as anatomical
landmarks on a parasagittal image. The sonographic identification of the lumbar bony structures
depends on 2 main factors: the morphology of the dog and the operator. These factors need to be
further evalued to assess the applicability of this ultrasonographic-guided procedure in veterinary
practice.
Key words: ultrasonography, dog, lumbar puncture, myelography, spinal needle