Combination of serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunit and hyperintensity of intramedullary T2W on magnetic resonance imaging provides better prognostic value of canine thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation

J Vet Med Sci. 2015 Apr;77(4):433-8. doi: 10.1292/jvms.14-0582. Epub 2014 Dec 19.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Dog Diseases / pathology*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / pathology
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / veterinary*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Neurofilament Proteins / blood*
  • Neurofilament Proteins / genetics
  • Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Subunits

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Protein Subunits
  • neurofilament protein H