Thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae in a feline: Case report

Abstract

The transitional vertebra is a congenital anomaly characterized by a vertebra that assumes anatomical characteristics of another vertebra in the adjacent region and occurs at the cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar, lumbosacral, and sacrococcygeal junctions. It is the most common congenital anomaly in dogs and cats and is diagnosed by radiography. The present work aims to report a case of thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae in a feline, 11 years old, addressing the radiographic findings. The patient was received in the Laboratório de Diagnóstico por Imagem e Cardiologia (LADIC) of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas Veterinary Teaching Hospital for thoracic radiography to investigate the presence of lung metastasis. Radiographs in orthogonal views of the thorax were obtained and demonstrated the presence of ribs bilaterally inserted in the first lumbar vertebrae (L1), in addition to spondylosis along the thoracic spine. The patient did not have clinical signs compatible with these vertebral changes. The thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae have a large importance in the decision making of clinicians and surgeons when facing thoracic procedures. The radiologist must pay attention to this change and communicate it so that the clinician, surgeon, and the owner can acquire knowledge, thus avoiding possible medical errors that may harm the patient.