Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings Associated With Lateral Cerebral Ventriculomegaly in English Bulldogs

Abstract

Multiple congenital or developmental anomalies associated with the central nervous system have been reported in English Bulldogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify and describe the prevalence and MRI characteristics of these anomalies and their association with presence and degree of cerebral ventriculomegaly. Magnetic resonance imaging studies of 50 English Bulldogs were evaluated. Forty-eight dogs had some degree of cerebral ventriculomegaly, 27 of which had an otherwise normal brain. Presence of lateral ventriculomegaly was not significantly associated with presence of another intracranial lesion. Appearance of the septum pellucidum was variable, ranging from intact to incomplete or completely absent. The corpus callosum was subjectively thinned in all but three dogs, two of which had normal lateral ventricles. Fusion of the rostral colliculi was not found in any dog. A persistent craniopharyngeal canal was identified in one dog. Aqueductal stenosis caused by fusion of the rostral colliculi was not identified in any dog. Findings indicated that cerebral ventriculomegaly is a common finding in English Bulldogs with or without other intracranial lesions, aqueductal stenosis caused by fusion of the rostral colliculi is unlikely to be a common etiology leading to obstructive hydrocephalus, and a large craniopharyngeal canal is a rare finding that has unknown clinical significance at this time.

Computed tomographic findings in dogs with head trauma and development of a novel prognostic computed tomography–based scoring system

“…Abnormalities included cranial vault fractures, facial bone fractures, regional brain hypodensity consistent with edema, areas of brain hyperdensity consistent with hemorrhage, and a mass effect, as represented by midline shift or ventricular asymmetry. Hydrocephalus, which was detected in 7 dogs, can be an incidental finding [21][22][23][24] and therefore did not necessarily represent brain injury.…”

Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of the ventricular system in the brains of adult and juvenile beagle dogs treated with posaconazole IV Solution

“…However, most of the reported literature focuses on using MRI retrospectively for diagnostic or veterinary applications and not that of an active tool for drug discovery. Of the published literature for dog brain ventricles, many have investigated the ventricles under suspicion or with known pre-existing conditions or disease states (Bentley, et al, 2013;Driver, Rusbridge, Cross, McGonnell, & Volk, 2010;Pivetta, De Risio, Newton, & Dennis, 2013;Ryan, Glass, Seiler, Zwingenberger, & Mai, 2013). Only select studies have evaluated all four ventricles (Driver, et al, 2010) while others reported lateral ventricle volumes only (Cardoso, Lachat, Lopes, Santos, & Colli, 2011;Kii, et al, 1998;Kii, et al, 1997;Su, et al, 2005).…”

“…Only select studies have evaluated all four ventricles (Driver, et al, 2010) while others reported lateral ventricle volumes only (Cardoso, Lachat, Lopes, Santos, & Colli, 2011;Kii, et al, 1998;Kii, et al, 1997;Su, et al, 2005). Additionally, previous quantitative work has often calculated ventricular area, rather than volume (Esteve-Ratsch, Kneissl, & Gabler, 2001) or used non-Beagle dog breeds, which are the most commonly used model for pharmaceutical use (Driver, et al, 2010;Ryan, et al, 2013;Vite, Insko, Schotland, Panckeri, & Hendricks, 1997). For the purposes of drug discovery, ventricle volumes, rather than area, may be more accurate due to increased sampling of the entire ventricle system, and the inclusion of the third and fourth ventricles in assessment may further identify potentially subtle changes in drug effects.…”

Hydrocephalus secondary to obstruction of the lateral apertures in two dogs

“…Although ventricular size varies among dog breeds, the diagnosis of hydrocephalus is usually made when there is excessive enlargement of the ventricular system . If a focal portion of the ventricular system is dilated, obstructive hydrocephalus should be suspected.…”

“…2 A third classification of enlargement of the ventricular system, hydrocephalus ex vacuo or compensatory hydrocephalus, occurs as a consequence of loss of neuroparenchyma. 3 Although ventricular size varies among dog breeds, [4][5][6][7][8] the diagnosis of hydrocephalus is usually made when there is excessive enlargement of the ventricular system. 9 If a focal portion of the ventricular system is dilated, obstructive hydrocephalus should be suspected.…”