Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Neck bone X-rays in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
By Stalin, Catherine E et al.·Published in American journal of veterinary research·2008·Department of Veterinary Medicine, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Radiographic morphology of the cranial portion of the cervical vertebral column in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and its relationship to syringomyelia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at the neck structure of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs) to see if it was linked to a condition called syringomyelia, which can cause pain and discomfort. Researchers found that CKCSs had different neck bone shapes compared to other dog breeds, specifically in the overlap of certain vertebrae. However, these differences did not explain why some CKCSs develop syringomyelia while others do not. This means that while CKCSs have unique neck structures, other factors may contribute to the development of this condition.
People also search for: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel neck problems · syringomyelia in dogs · CKCS vertebrae structure
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare radiographic morphology of the atlantoaxial region between Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs) and dogs of other breeds and determine whether there was an association between radiographic morphology of the atlantoaxial region and syringomyelia in CKCSs. ANIMALS: 65 CKCSs and 72 dogs of other breeds. PROCEDURES: The amount that the spinous process of the axis overlapped the dorsal arch of the atlas, the relative size of the spinous process of the axis, and the amount of widening of the atlantoaxial joint that occurred when the neck was moved from a neutral to a flexed position were measured on lateral radiographic projections of the atlantoaxial region. Magnetic resonance images were reviewed to identify CKCSs with syringomyelia. RESULTS: The amount of overlap of the atlas and axis and the relative size of the spinous process of the axis were significantly smaller in CKCSs than in dogs of other breeds. However, the amount of widening of the atlantoaxial joint that occurred when the neck was moved from a neutral to a flexed position was not significantly different between groups, and no association was detected between syringomyelia and excessive atlantoaxial joint space widening or between syringomyelia and an excessively small axial spinous process. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that radiographic morphology of the atlantoaxial region in CKCSs differs from morphology of that region in dogs of other breeds, but that these differences do not account for why some CKCSs develop syringomyelia and others do not.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18167092/