CDVMS In-Person Lecture: IVDD & Other Acute Spinal Cord Injuries

Intervertebral Disc Disease and Other Acute Spinal Cord Injuries

Presented by: Laura Krzykowski, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

This lecture will review pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IVDD. Current recommendations for medical and surgical management will be reviewed. We will focus on how to treat patients when referral is not possible, as well as the timing of when referral/surgery should be pursued. In addition, we will review other acute spinal cord injuries that can mimic IVDD (i.e. Fibrocartilagenous Embolism, Acute Non-Compressive Nucleus Pulposus Extrusion).

Learning Objectives:

1.    Review the options and recommendations for medical treatment of IVDD (which is often managed without referral).
2.    Understand the indications for surgical management of IVDD, and the timing of surgery (i.e. when to refer?).
3.    Review other spinal cord injuries that can mimic IVDD, and learn how the examination, diagnosis, and management may differ for these diseases.