말티즈에서 발생한 수막척수염 증례에 관한 고찰

A Case Study of Meningomyelitis in a Maltese

A 5-year-old, 5.3 kg, neutered male Maltese was presented to a veterinary hospital with symptoms of anorexia and ambulatory paraparesis of the hind limbs. There was no improvement even with prescriptions of anti-inflammatory medications. On neurological examination, proprioception, hemi-walking/hemi-standing, and extensor postural thrust responses were less responsive in both hindlimbs. Since there were no obvious lesions on blood tests and X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was requested and performed. On MRI, the intensity of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc between T4 to T10 and T12 to L5 was reduced, and spinal cord parenchyma was swelled from L3 to L5. Meningomyelitis was diagnosed, and prednisolone 1mg/kg/day (divided into twice, orally) was prescribed for 10 days. The proprioceptive responses were improved and pain was reduced. This case is meaningful in examining the clinical symptoms and diagnostic findings of meningomyelitis, and we hope that an additional study will be conducted on the prevalent breeds, onset symptoms, diagnosis, and prognosis in a situation of Korean veterinary medicine of neurological diseases such as meningomyelitis.