Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dens bone angle and length in toy dogs with neck instability compared
By Takahashi, Fumitaka et al.·Published in American journal of veterinary research·2017·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of the dens-to-axis length ratio and dens angle in toy-breed dogs with and without atlantoaxial instability and in healthy Beagles.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of toy-breed dogs with atlantoaxial instability (AAI), a condition affecting the neck that can cause pain and neurological issues, was compared to healthy Beagles and non-affected toy-breed dogs. Researchers used CT scans to measure specific features of the dens, a bone in the neck, and found that AAI-affected dogs had a lower dens-to-axis length ratio and a greater dens angle than the other groups. This suggests that certain bone measurements could help identify toy-breed dogs at risk for AAI. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and improve diagnosis for affected dogs.
People also search for: toy breed dog neck pain · atlantoaxial instability symptoms · Beagle neck problems · dog dens angle measurement · AAI diagnosis in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare morphological characteristics of the dens in atlantoaxial instability (AAI)-predisposed toy-breed dogs (TBDs) with and without AAI and non-AAI-predisposed healthy Beagles. ANIMALS 80 AAI-affected and 40 nonaffected TBDs and 40 Beagles. PROCEDURES Each dog underwent CT examination of the cervical vertebral column. On median 3-D multiplanar reconstruction images, the dens angle (DA) was measured as were the lengths of the dens and the body of the axis; the dens-to-axis length ratio (ratio of the dens length to the axis body length [DALR]) was calculated. Data were compared among dog groups. RESULTS The DALR in nonaffected TBDs and Beagles did not differ significantly. The mean DALR for AAI-affected TBDs was significantly lower than that for nonaffected TBDs. The mean DA of AAI-affected TBDs was significantly greater than that of Beagles and nonaffected TBDs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that a low DALR might be associated with a high probability of dens abnormalities in TBDs. Additionally, dens length in AAI-affected TBDs appeared to be smaller than that in non-AAI-affected TBDs, given the low DALR in AAI-affected TBDs. Further investigations to determine reference ranges of the DA and DALR and the potential usefulness of those variables as diagnostic markers for AAI in TBDs are warranted.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29182395/