Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT scan shows skull and face bone problems in dogs with cleft palate
By Nemec, Ana et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2015·William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Craniomaxillofacial abnormalities in dogs with congenital palatal defects: computed tomographic findings.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with congenital palatal defects, also known as cleft palates, were examined using CT scans to identify any related head and facial abnormalities. The scans revealed that most dogs had issues with their ear structures and nasal passages, which could affect their overall health and quality of life. These findings are important for veterinarians when planning surgeries, as the soft tissue damage from the cleft is often less severe than the underlying bone damage. Understanding these differences can help ensure better surgical outcomes for affected dogs.
People also search for: dog cleft palate treatment · congenital palatal defect symptoms · dog facial abnormalities CT scan
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate craniomaxillofacial abnormalities in dogs with congenital palatal defects. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective computed tomography (CT) study. ANIMALS: Dogs with congenital palatal defects (n = 9). METHODS: Medical records and CT reports (1995-2012) were searched for dogs with a diagnosis of cleft palate that had a CT study. Data retrieved were: breed, age, sex, weight, physical examination, and laboratory findings, number of previous palate surgeries, and oral/dental examination findings with the diagnosis of the cleft for each dog. CT studies of the head were reviewed on a structure-by-structure basis. RESULTS: Tympanic bullae were most commonly found to be abnormal (8 dogs), followed by nasal turbinates (6), nasal septum, vomer, cribriform plate (4), frontal sinuses, and lateral ventricles (3). Other abnormalities were related to occlusion, teeth, incisive bones, maxillary bones, mandibles, hyoid apparatus, cranial bones, and nasopharynx. The soft tissue defect of the cleft was always smaller than the bony defect. CONCLUSIONS: Craniomaxillofacial abnormalities in dogs with congenital palatal defects are common and some of these may negatively affect the quality of life. Importantly for surgical planning, the soft tissue component of the cleft may underestimate the extent of the bony defect, especially in failed repairs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24433432/