Prevalence of syringomyelia in clinically unaffected Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in Germany (2006–2016)

Schulze, Sabine; Refai, Miriam; Deutschland, Martin; Failing, Klaus; Schmidt, Martin J.

doi:10.15654/tpk-170725

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(37 reference statements)

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“…The study identified 7/12 dogs with syrinx of 2-6 mm (figure 3) and confirms the prevalence of SM in the breed, [17][18][19][20] and that, in proportion to the rest of the cranium, the hindskull is reduced with increased cephalic index (figures 1 and 2). Since the reduced caudal skull had already been proven 12 21 and purported to be recognised by some breed experts, it might provide greater guidance in judging criteria to avoid conformation extremes in breeding.…”

Section: Potential Impact Of Study On Breeding Selectionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Pilot study of head conformation changes over time in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed

Knowler

Gillstedt²,

Mitchell³

et al. 2019

Veterinary Record

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Modern interpretation of head conformation in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel (CKCS) has favoured a smaller, more exaggerated, brachycephalic type than originally described in the 1929 breed standard. Recent research studies identified brachycephaly and reduced hind cranium as two conformational (dysmorphic) features that increase risk for symptomatic Chiari-like malformation and secondary syringomyelia (SM). A prospective pilot study investigated the hypothesis that dysmorphic head features could be assessed visually and correlated with risk of SM. Thirteen CKCS, selected from anonymised photographic evidence, were physically appraised by authorised Kennel Club judges using a head shape checklist. These subjective evaluations were then matched with objective measurements of the cranium (cephalic index and rostrocaudal doming) and their subsequent MRI. A positive correlation (P=0.039) between the judges’ checklist score and rostrocaudal doming (hindskull ratio) and a positive correlation between the cephalic index and hindskull ratio (P=0.042) were identified. Five CKCS had no SM and their status tallied with 62 per cent of the judges’ evaluation. Although the ability of adjudicators to identify differences in head conformation varied, there was sufficient association between the dysmorphic parameters and the risk of SM to cause concern and propose a larger study in CKCS breed.

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Section: Potential Impact Of Study On Breeding Selectionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Pilot study of head conformation changes over time in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed

Knowler

Gillstedt²,

Mitchell³

et al. 2019

Veterinary Record

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“…Not all studies had good control groups, especially the earlier ones. As SM occurs secondary to CM and is more likely in older dogs ( 34 , 35 , 45 , 46 ), it is important that the SM-clear cohort consists of dogs MRI scanned when older and typically aged 4 years or more. Equally it is important to accurately phenotype symptomatic dogs which can be challenging as the most common clinical sign is pain which is subjective and in the dog overly reliant on owner reporting ( 39 , 47 , 48 ).…”

Section: Current Understanding Of the Morphological Changes In Caninementioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical Application of Diagnostic Imaging of Chiari-Like Malformation and Syringomyelia

2018

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Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) is a frequent diagnosis in predisposed brachycephalic toy breeds since increased availability of MRI. However, the relevance of that MRI diagnosis has been questioned as CM, defined as identification of a cerebellar herniation, is ubiquitous in some breeds and SM can be asymptomatic. This article reviews the current knowledge of neuroanatomical changes in symptomatic CM and SM and diagnostic imaging modalities used for the clinical diagnosis of CM-pain or myelopathy related to SM. Although often compared to Chiari type I malformation in humans, canine CM-pain and SM is more comparable to complex craniosynostosis syndromes (i.e., premature fusion of multiple skull sutures) characterized by a short skull (cranial) base, rostrotentorial crowding with rostral forebrain flattening, small, and ventrally orientated olfactory bulbs, displacement of the neural tissue to give increased height of the cranium and further reduction of the functional caudotentorial space with hindbrain herniation. MRI may further reveal changes suggesting raised intracranial pressure such as loss of sulci definition in conjunction with ventriculomegaly. In addition to these brachycephalic changes, dogs with SM are more likely to have craniocervical junction abnormalities including rostral displacement of the axis and atlas with increased odontoid angulation causing craniospinal junction deformation and medulla oblongata elevation. Symptomatic SM is diagnosed on the basis of signs of myelopathy and presence of a large syrinx that is consistent with the neuro-localization. The imaging protocol should establish the longitudinal and transverse extent of the spinal cord involvement by the syrinx. Phantom scratching and cervicotorticollis are associated with large mid-cervical syringes that extend to the superficial dorsal horn. If the cause of CSF channel disruption and syringomyelia is not revealed by anatomical MRI then other imaging modalities may be appropriate with radiography or CT for any associated vertebral abnormalities.

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“…But these findings seem to suggest that CM/SM is, like in the CKCS, a socalled late onset disease. Such an association may be explained by skull conformation, maturation, and changes in craniocerebral morphology and syringomyelia already documented in several other studies for the CKCS (8,14,15,17,30,41,(44)(45)(46)(47). There are currently no specific studies that document objective information on skull maturation or craniocerebral morphology changes in the Pomeranian.…”

Section: Signalment Factors and Cm/sm Classificationmentioning

confidence: 67%

Phenotypic characterization of Pomeranians with or without Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia

Santifort,

Carrera,

Bossens

et al. 2023

Front. Vet. Sci.

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IntroductionChiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) are frequently diagnosed conditions in small and toy dog breeds, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Griffon Bruxellois. CM/SM is only rarely reported in Pomeranians in literature to date. The aims of this study are to 1/describe the phenotype of Pomeranians with or without CM/SM and 2/evaluate for differences and associations between CM/SM and owner-reported clinical signs (ORCS) or signalment factors.Materials and methodsFrom February 2015 to June 2023, historical data and signalment (including country of origin, pedigree, sex and neuter status, age, and body weight) and ORCS of Pomeranians were recorded at multiple institutions. MRI studies of all dogs were evaluated for classification of CM/SM. Additionally, quantitative measurements were performed for SM.ResultsA total of 796 dogs from 22 different countries were included. Total prevalence of CM was 54.9% (437/796) and the prevalence of SM was 23.9% (190/796). The top 5 ORCS included 1/scratching with skin contact, rubbing head or ears, or both (57.6% of dogs with ORCS), 2/air licking (30.7% of dogs with ORCS), 3/spontaneous signs of pain (26.0% of dogs with ORCS), 4/persistent licking front and/or hind paws (22.6% of dogs with ORCS), 5/phantom scratching (22.6% of dogs with ORCS). Phantom scratching, vocalization, head shaking, spontaneous signs of pain, and air licking were associated with having SM. There were no statistically significant associations between quantitative syrinx measurements and ORCS. There were statistically significant associations between CM classification and 1/country of origin, 2/having a pedigree, and 3/age. There were statistically significant associations between SM classification and 1/age and 2/body weight.DiscussionThis is the first large study evaluating CM/SM in the Pomeranian dog breed. Veterinary clinicians can use these findings to increase the likelihood of correctly determining the presence or absence of CM/SM in Pomeranians. Breeders may consider using the information regarding signalment factors as well as ORCS associated with CM/SM classifications to select dogs for screening procedures. But an MRI-based diagnosis is needed to properly ascertain the exact CM/SM status of their breeding stock until a fool-proof characteristic or genetic marker is found.

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Prevalence of syringomyelia in clinically unaffected Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in Germany (2006–2016)

Cited by 6 publications

References 20 publications

Pilot study of head conformation changes over time in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed

Pilot study of head conformation changes over time in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed

Clinical Application of Diagnostic Imaging of Chiari-Like Malformation and Syringomyelia

Phenotypic characterization of Pomeranians with or without Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia

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