Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE), also called fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM), is a spinal cord infarct caused by fragments of fibrocartilage, thought to come from the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc, blocking the arteries or veins of the cord. The dog is typically fine one moment and cannot walk the next, often during play, yet it is not in pain and does not get worse after the first day. Recognising that pattern, and knowing how to tell FCE from a disc that needs surgery, is the core of this topic.
Key facts
Fibrocartilaginous embolism at a glance- Species and system: dog (rare in cats); nervous system, spinal cord.
- Cause: ischemic necrosis of a spinal cord segment after embolism of fibrocartilage, histologically like nucleus pulposus, into spinal cord vessels. How the material gets into the vessels is not known.
- Classic dog: young adult to middle-aged, large or giant non-chondrodystrophic breed; Miniature Schnauzers are also over-represented.
- Classic presentation: peracute, often asymmetric paresis or plegia during exercise, with no spinal pain on examination and no progression after the first 24 hours.
- Diagnosis: presumptive, from history, examination and MRI (intramedullary T2 hyperintensity, no compression). Definitive only on histopathology.
- Treatment: no specific drug; nursing care and physical rehabilitation.
- Not zoonotic and not reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Signalment
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 17 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.