Chronic double-level cauda equina compression. An experimental study on the dog cauda equina with analyses of nerve conduction velocity.

STUDY

DESIGN

Nerve conduction velocity was studied in the dog cauda equina subjected to chronic double-level compression.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the effects of chronic double-level cauda equina compression.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Double-level cauda equina compression produces more symptoms in patients and more changes in acute experimental set-ups than does single-level compression. However, there have been no controlled, experimental studies on chronic double-level compression.

METHODS

A total of 20 dogs were anesthetized. Two balloons were placed under the lamina of the seventh lumbar vertebra and the first sacral vertebra, respectively. One week (10 mm Hg, n = 5; 0 mm Hg, n = 5) and 1 month (10 mm Hg, n = 5; 0 mm Hg, n = 5) after inflation with a viscous substance, nerve conduction velocity was studied by local electrical stimulation and recording of muscle action potentials in the tail muscles.

RESULTS

Nerve conduction velocity was determined over the cranial balloon, the caudal balloon, and both balloons. The data were similar for all three recordings. After 1 week there was a significant reduction in nerve conduction velocity induced by 10 mm Hg, compared with that induced by 0 mm Hg, which showed normal conditions. However, after 1 month this initial reduction in nerve conduction velocity had recovered partially. The reduction was similar to that described for single-level compression in a previous study in which the same compression model was used.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike the acute situation, chronic double-level compression does not induce more changes than single-level compression after 1 week, although the recovery after 1 month of compression is less complete after double-level compression. This less complete recovery may be a result of an adaptation of the nerve tissue and the vascularization of the cauda equina nerve roots to the applied pressure.