The Need for Head Space: Brachycephaly and Cerebrospinal Fluid Disorders

Rusbridge, Clare; Knowler, Susan P.

doi:10.3390/life11020139

Cited by 14 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…Future studies should aim to recruit a higher number of small‐breed dogs with different skull conformations. Furthermore, brachycephalic, small‐breed dogs belong to the population with the highest risk for diseases with CSF flow alterations, such as Chiari‐like malformations and hydrocephalus 25 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of body weight, age, and sex on cerebrospinal fluid peak flow velocity in dogs without neurological disorders

Rich,

Hubler,

Vidondo

et al. 2024

Veterinary Internal Medicne

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BackgroundChanges in the brain can affect the flow velocity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In humans, the flow velocity of CSF is not only altered by disease but also by age and sex. Such influences are not known in dogs.HypothesisPeak flow velocity of CSF in dogs is associated with body weight, age, and sex.AnimalsPeak flow velocity of CSF was measured in 32 client‐owned dogs of different breeds, age, and sex.MethodsPeak flow velocity of CSF was determined by phase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC‐MRI) at the mesencephalic aqueduct, foramen magnum (FM), and second cervical vertebral body (C2). Dogs were grouped according to body weight, age, and sex. Flow velocity of CSF was compared between groups using linear regression models.ResultsDogs with body weight >20 kg had higher CSF peak velocity compared with dogs <10 kg within the ventral and dorsal subarachnoid space (SAS) at the FM (P = .02 and P = .01, respectively), as well as in the ventral and dorsal SAS at C2 (P = .005 and P = .005, respectively). Dogs ≤2 years of age had significantly higher CSF peak flow velocity at the ventral SAS of the FM (P = .05). Females had significantly lower CSF peak flow velocity within the ventral SAS of FM (P = .04).ConclusionBody weight, age, and sex influence CSF peak flow velocity in dogs. These factors need to be considered in dogs when CSF flow is quantitatively assessed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of body weight, age, and sex on cerebrospinal fluid peak flow velocity in dogs without neurological disorders

Rich,

Hubler,

Vidondo

et al. 2024

Veterinary Internal Medicne

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“…Therefore, a possible explanation for the association between ventricular enlargement and more numerous and larger PFs may be that ventriculomegaly causes expansion of the cranial content and results in failure of the ossification of the fibrous membrane between the separate skull bones. 21 In addition to possible expansion of the cranial content, ventriculomegaly has intraparenchymal effects. In dogs lacking clinical signs related to hydrocephalus, periventricular blood flow and cerebral white matter volumes are decreased when compared to dogs lacking ventriculomegaly.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dura controls skull growth by mechanosensory capacity that responds to the expanding brain mass. Therefore, a possible explanation for the association between ventricular enlargement and more numerous and larger PFs may be that ventriculomegaly causes expansion of the cranial content and results in failure of the ossification of the fibrous membrane between the separate skull bones 21 . In addition to possible expansion of the cranial content, ventriculomegaly has intraparenchymal effects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent fontanelles in Chihuahuas. Part II: Association with craniocervical junction abnormalities, syringomyelia, and ventricular volume

Kiviranta

Rusbridge

Lappalainen

et al. 2021

Veterinary Internal Medicne

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Background: Persistent fontanelles (PFs) are, in Chihuahuas, almost ubiquitous. Furthermore, Chihuahuas are predisposed to other craniomorphological abnormalities, including syringomyelia (SM), ventriculomegaly, and craniocervical junction (CCJ) overcrowding resulting in neural tissue deviation. It is, however, undetermined if PFs are more common in dogs with these structural abnormalities, and their etiology is unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives: Persistent fontanelles are more numerous and larger in Chihuahuas with low body weight, older age, SM, dilated fourth ventricle, ventriculomegaly, and CCJ overcrowding. Animals: Fifty client-owned Chihuahuas. Methods: Cross-sectional study evaluating the association of both the number of cranial sutures affected by PFs (NAS) and total fontanelle area (TFA), based on computed tomography with SM, fourth ventricle dilatation, lateral ventricle volume, and extent of neural tissue compression at the CCJ based on magnetic resonance images.

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“…SM is characterized by the development of one or more fluid-filled cavities within the spinal cord parenchyma documented clinically by MRI or on post-mortem histopathology [ 4 – 6 ]. In the CKCS, SM co-occurs with Chiari-like malformation (CM), a complex developmental condition of the skull and craniocervical vertebrae, characterized by a conformational change and overcrowding of the brain and cervical spinal cord, particularly at the craniospinal junction [ 7 , 8 ]. In the CKCS, decades of breeding selection towards a distinctive head conformation has led to a high number of individuals with CM and SM [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical predictors of syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with chiari-like malformation based on owners’ observations

Pedersen,

Bach,

Stougaard

et al. 2024

Acta Vet Scand

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Background Syringomyelia (SM) is a prevalent inherited developmental condition in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs) with Chiari-like malformation (CM), accompanied by a variety of clinical manifestations, including signs of neuropathic pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard in SM diagnosis. However, it is desirable to establish clinical predictors that can identify CKCSs with a large clinical syrinx that needs treatment, as some owners cannot afford or lack access to MRI. The aims of the study were to investigate owner-reported clinical signs of SM and clinical predictors of a large clinical syrinx, using predictive values of significant signs, individually and in combinations. Eighty-nine CKCSs participated in this retrospective study. Based on MRI diagnosis, dogs were distributed into three groups: CM without syrinx or with a maximum transverse width < 2 mm (n = 13), CM with small syrinx 2.00-3.99 mm (n = 26) and CM with large syrinx ≥4 mm (n = 50). A structured investigator-owner interview using a standardized questionnaire was used to collect data regarding clinical signs of CM and SM. The statistical tests Pearson’s chi-square, Fisher’s Exact and Spearman’s rank order were used to assess the difference in owner-reported signs between groups. For signs with significant differences, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were calculated. Results Following clinical signs were reported significantly more frequent in dogs with a large syrinx: phantom scratching, bilateral scratching of the neck or shoulder, aversion when that area is touched, or exacerbation of clinical signs when the dog is emotionally aroused. Each individual sign had a high PPV, indicative of a large clinical syrinx. The PPV increased further when the signs phantom scratching, aversion to touch to the head, neck or shoulder, and a preferred head posture during sleep were present in combination. Conclusions Specific clinical signs can be used individually and in combination as clinical predictors of a large clinical syrinx in CKCSs with CM and SM. General practitioners can utilize this information to identify CKCSs with a large syrinx to initiate necessary treatment. This is particularly useful in cases where access to or affordability of an MRI diagnosis is limited.

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The Need for Head Space: Brachycephaly and Cerebrospinal Fluid Disorders

Cited by 14 publications

References 83 publications

Influence of body weight, age, and sex on cerebrospinal fluid peak flow velocity in dogs without neurological disorders

Influence of body weight, age, and sex on cerebrospinal fluid peak flow velocity in dogs without neurological disorders

Persistent fontanelles in Chihuahuas. Part II: Association with craniocervical junction abnormalities, syringomyelia, and ventricular volume

Clinical predictors of syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with chiari-like malformation based on owners’ observations

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