Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia in Griffon Bruxellois dogs
By Rusbridge, C et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2009·Stone Lion Veterinary Centre, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Chiari-like malformation in the Griffon Bruxellois.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Griffon Bruxellois dogs was examined for Chiari-like malformation, a condition affecting the skull and brain, which can lead to serious issues like syringomyelia (fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord). In this study, over half of the dogs showed signs of Chiari-like malformation, and some had syringomyelia with or without it. Researchers found that a specific measurement from skull X-rays could help predict the presence of Chiari-like malformation with good accuracy. This simple X-ray technique could be a helpful screening tool for veterinarians until a genetic test becomes available.
People also search for: Griffon Bruxellois Chiari-like malformation symptoms · dog syringomyelia treatment · dog skull X-ray for Chiari malformation
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study describes Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia in the Griffon Bruxellois and establishes if skull radiographs are useful for disease prediction. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging from 56 Griffon Bruxellois dogs was assessed for Chiari-like malformation and cerebrospinal fluid pathway abnormalities. Skull radiographs were obtained in 33 dogs. Two rostrocaudal and two ventrodorsal measurements were made, and ratios of one length to another were compared. RESULTS: In this selected sample, 60.7 per cent had Chiari-like malformation. Syringomyelia occurred with and without Chiari-like malformation (37.5 and 8.9 per cent study population, respectively). The radiographic study demonstrated that one measurement ratio could be used to predict Chiari-like malformation (sensitivity of 87 per cent and specificity of 78 per cent) and that there were significant interaction factors between sex and syringomyelia for two measurement ratios. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The study suggests that Chiari-like malformation is characterised by a shortening of the basicranium and supra-occipital bone with a compensatory lengthening of the cranial vault, especially the parietal bone. We described a simple radiographic technique, which may be useful as a screening test until a more definite genetic test for Chiari-like malformation is available.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19689665/