Traumatic spinal cord injury with schiff-sherrington posture and spontaneous resolution in a dog: MRI evaluation

Abstract

The Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon is an extensor hypertonicity of the forelimbs that occurs when there is a severe injury in the thoracolumbar segment. A 4-years-old, intact female, mixed breed dog, presented with vehicle trauma history followed by non-ambulatory paraparesis, extensor rigidity of forelimb and allodynia pain sensation. Superficial pain sensation was decreased. The treatment was based on unique dose of dexamethasone followed by oral administration of meloxicam, tramadol hydrochloride, dypirone, omeprazole and, poly vitamin complex. Low field magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed hyperintensity signal between T12 and T13 on T2-wheighting image compatible with neuronal edema. In the day after, allodynia and extensor rigidity presented spontaneously resolution. At 10th day, return to voluntary ambulation without assistance. Schiff-Sherrington posture is usually associated with poor prognosis and grade V traumatic injury of the thoracolumbar spinal cord. We report a grade III traumatic spinal cord injury confirmed with MRI as only neuronal edema causing the posture. The Schiff-Sherrington posture often resolves spontaneously in 10-14 days, but neurological signs of trauma can persist. The conservative treatment proposed was efficient, promoting forelimb recovery on the day after and total recovery of motor function in 10 days.