Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MRI changes in dog spine linked to disc disease near vertebral
By Emma Deards et al.·Published in Irish Veterinary Journal·2019·The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, GB·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: MRI signal changes and their association with intervertebral disc disease in canine vertebral endplates
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at MRI scans of dogs to see if changes in the vertebral endplates (the flat surfaces of the bones in the spine) were linked to intervertebral disc disease, which can cause pain and mobility issues. The researchers found that when there were changes in the endplates on both sides of a disc, there was a strong chance that the disc itself was also affected by disease. This means that if a vet sees these endplate changes on an MRI, they should closely check for any disc problems nearby.
People also search for: dog back pain MRI · intervertebral disc disease in dogs · signs of dog spine problems
Abstract
Abstract Background This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between intervertebral endplate changes and intervertebral disc disease. This study was designed as a cross-sectional, observational study. Two hundred thirteen canine MRI scans performed between 2007 and 2014 were retrieved from a digital image archive. Scans which included any sagittal sections of the vertebral column from C1 to S1 were assessed for morphological changes to the vertebral endplate. Results There was found to be a significant association between vertebral endplate changes and intervertebral disc disease of the adjacent disc (P = 0.021). There was not found to be any significant association between dogs having vertebral endplate changes and having intervertebral disc disease (P = 0.38). There was found to be a highly significant association between discs with vertebral endplate changes on both associated vertebrae (bilateral) and having intervertebral disc disease (P = < 0.0001). Conclusions The presence of endplate changes should alert the observer to closely examine the disc, as intervertebral disc disease is mildly more likely to occur adjacent to these changes.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-019-0148-2