Head Tilt after a myelogram

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Neuro Corner Answers


Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center

Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors


Question

LINDA ASKS:

Can a myelogram be the cause of head tilting? How long could the tilting last?

 

ANSWER

When injecting the contrast agent (dye) around the spinal cord in the neck most of the time it is injected right behind the head where the brainstem turns into the cervical spinal cord.

There is the potential for the needle that is used to inject the contrast to irritate a part of the brain stem responsible for balance (the vestibular centers).  I would not get too concerned about it being permanent until he is out a good 1-2 months.  Even then, most of the time it is not anything that will cause serious quality of life issues. If you feel that it is, there is the potential to talk with a veterinary rehabilitation doctor about techniques that can help your dog compensate/adapt to the balance issues.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Andrew Isaacs, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)


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