Comparison of Noncontrast Computed Tomography and High‐field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Great Danes With Cervical Spondylomyelopathy

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) provides excellent bony detail, whereas magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is superior in evaluating the neural structures. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess interobserver and intermethod agreement in the evaluation of cervical vertebral column morphology and lesion severity in Great Danes with cervical spondylomyelopathy by use of noncontrast CT and high-field MR imaging. Fifteen client-owned affected Great Danes were enrolled. All dogs underwent noncontrast CT under sedation and MR imaging under general anesthesia of the cervical vertebral column. Three observers independently evaluated the images to determine the main site of spinal cord compression, direction and cause of the compression, articular process joint characteristics, and presence of foraminal stenosis. Overall intermethod agreement, intermethod agreement for each observer, overall interobserver agreement, and interobserver agreement between pairs of observers were calculated by use of kappa (κ) statistics. The highest overall intermethod agreements were obtained for the main site of compression and direction of compression with substantial agreements (κ = 0.65 and 0.62, respectively), whereas the lowest was obtained for right-sided foraminal stenosis (κ = 0.39, fair agreement). For both imaging techniques, the highest and lowest interobserver agreements were recorded for the main site of compression and degree of articular joint proliferation, respectively. While different observers frequently agree on the main site of compression using both imaging techniques, there is considerable variation between modalities and among observers when assessing articular process characteristics and foraminal stenosis. Caution should be exerted when comparing image interpretations from multiple observers.

The Effect of Angle Slice Acquisition on Computed Tomographic Cervical Vertebral Column Morphometry in Great Danes

“…However, our results indicated that the vertebral foraminal width varied significantly based on angle acquisition at only the cranial vertebral locations. In general, Great Danes with cervical spondylomyelopathy most often suffer from bilateral compressions in the lateral or dorsolateral direction . In the population of Great Danes enrolled in this study, the lateral compressions more greatly affected the cranial aspect of the vertebrae, explaining why our results differed from the results obtained from osteological studies of the cervical vertebrae of Great Danes .…”

“…Our results also showed that the width of the vertebral foramina in Great Danes with cervical spondylomyelopathy was significantly narrower than that of the control dogs, regardless of the angle of image acquisition. Considering that Great Danes with cervical spondylomyelopathy most often suffer from lateral or dorsolateral compressions, it is not surprising to find that the CT measurements of affected dogs obtained in this study also showed that their vertebral foramina are laterally narrowed when compared to the control group …”

“…Noncontrast CT can be used to evaluate dogs suspected of having cervical spondylomyelopathy, although it cannot necessarily be used alone to establish a definitive diagnosis . It is common in clinical practice that cervical CT scans be acquired with the transverse images aligned either parallel to the endplates or perpendicular to the vertebral canal.…”

Cervical Vertebral Trabecular Bone Mineral Density in Great Danes With and Without Osseous‐Associated Cervical Spondylomyelopathy

“…Bony malformations and osteoarthritic changes of the articular process joints, pedicles, and dorsal lamina are common in dogs with osseous‐associated CSM . In our study, magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of osseous‐associated CSM in all affected dogs, with lateral and dorsolateral spinal cord compression secondary to OA involving the articular process joints, pedicles, or both, present in all dogs.…”

MicroRNA expression in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with and without cervical spondylomyelopathy

“…This dog was a 2.5‐year‐old female spayed Great Dane with the following CSF results: 219 RBC/μL, 1 WBC/μL, and protein concentration of 12.1 mg/dL. All dogs included in our study were classified as clinically normal based on complete neurologic examination and MRI of the cervical vertebral column (considered the gold standard for diagnosis of OA‐CSM), but it is possible that this dog may have been asymptomatic or had early onset or dynamic OA‐CSM in the absence of detectable imaging changes . Asymptomatic OA‐CSM is recognized in people, horses, and dogs, and has been described in Doberman Pinschers with DA‐CSM and reported in Great Danes with OA‐CSM .…”