Discussion: In general, an MRI is more diagnostic for evaluating neurological disease because of better soft tissue visualization. The majority of dachshunds with these clinical signs (neck pain and spasms) will have a Type I disk extrusion, which can be visualized on a CT scan. However, the lack of radiographic evidence for calcification calls for MRI, as a non-calcified disk probably would not have been visualized well on CT. (See CT vs. MRI). A myelogram may have been diagnostic, but is more invasive and shows less detail than MRI. Additionally, this patient's signs have been present for 6 weeks and conservative management in patients with cervical disk herniations is generally unrewarding. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis might be a consideration, but given this patient is a Dachshund, IVDD would still be more likely.
MR Images: (click to enlarge)
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| Sagittal T2 | Axial T1 (no contrast) | Axial T1 (contrast) |
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| Axial T1 (no contrast) | Axial T1 (contrast) |
Question: Based on the previous findings and these MR images, what is most likely the cause of this patient's problem?