Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT scan differences in French Bulldogs, Pugs, and English Bulldogs
By De Decker, Steven et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2019·Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparison of signalment and computed tomography findings in French Bulldogs, Pugs, and English Bulldogs with and without clinical signs associated with thoracic hemivertebra.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of French Bulldogs, Pugs, and English Bulldogs were studied to see if certain CT scan findings could help tell if they had neurological problems caused by thoracic hemivertebra (a spinal deformity). The researchers found that Pugs were more likely to show signs of neurological issues, especially if they had severe spinal curvature and fewer hemivertebrae. A specific measurement of spinal curvature (Cobb angle) helped distinguish between dogs that were affected and those that weren't. Understanding these factors can help veterinarians determine if a dog's hemivertebra is causing problems or not.
People also search for: French Bulldog neurological signs · Pug spinal problems · English Bulldog hemivertebra treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although thoracic hemivertebra can cause neurological signs, they occur commonly in neurologically normal dogs. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether computed tomography (CT) findings and factors associated with signalment can be used to differentiate between dogs with and without neurological signs associated with hemivertebra. ANIMALS: One hundred sixty dogs with ≥1 hemivertebrae were retrospectively studied. This group consisted of 40 dogs with clinical signs caused by hemivertebra and 40 French Bulldogs, 40 Pugs, and 40 English Bulldogs that underwent CT for reasons unrelated to neurological disease. METHODS: All dogs underwent CT and affected dogs also underwent magnetic resonance imaging. All CT studies were randomly evaluated by an observer blinded to signalment and clinical status. The following variables were evaluated: presence, number, location, and subtype of hemivertebra; presence of vertebral subluxation; severity of vertebral canal stenosis; presence, location, and severity of kyphosis, and number of vertebrae involved in the kyphotic segment. Statistical modeling was performed to identify factors associated with clinical status. RESULTS: Pug breed (odds ration [OR], 10.8; P = .01), more severe kyphosis (OR, 1.1 per grade increase; P < .001), fewer instead of more observed hemivertebrae (OR, 0.8; P = 0.03), and ventrolateral hypoplasia hemivertebra subtype (OR, 4.0; P = .011) were associated with higher likelihood of neurological disease. A Cobb angle of 34.5 degrees corresponded with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between clinically affected and unaffected dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The variables identified could aid in differentiating between clinically relevant and irrelevant hemivertebra in small breed brachycephalic dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31407402/