Using geographical information system for spatial evaluation of canine extruded disc herniation

Abstract

Abstract. Disc herniation is one of the most common pathologies of the vertebral column in dogs. The aim of this study was to develop a geographical information system (GIS)-based vertebral canal (VC) map useful for spatial evaluation of extruded disc herniation (EDH) in dogs. ArcGIS ® was used to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional maps, in which the VC surface is divided into polygons by lines representing latitude and longitude. Actual locations and directions of the herniated disc material were assessed by a series of 142 computer tomographies of dogs collected between 2005 and 2013. Most EDHs were located on the cervical and transitional regions (thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-sacral) and shown at the level of the ventro-cranial and ventro-central polygons created. Choropleth maps, highlighting the distribution and the location/direction patterns of the EDHs throughout the VC, were produced based on the frequency of the ailment. GIS proved to be a valuable tool in analysing EDH in dogs. Further studies are required for biomechanical analysis of EDH patterns.

Distribution patterns of saprolegniosis cutaneous lesions in wild and farmed brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) obtained using a geographic information system (GIS)

“…It has been confirmed that GISs can successfully be used for topographic analyses of animal diseases, to create maps of lesion type and distribution on the animal's body. GISs have previously been used to study spinal disc herniation in dogs (Daraban et al, 2014), nodular skin lesions and their malignancy in dogs (Pascotto, Tomè, Comazzi, Marco, & Cornegliani, 2014), gastric lesions in pigs (Pascotto, Capraro, Tomè, & Spanghero, 2016) and the corporal distribution of Ctenocephalides felis felis and C. canis fleas in dogs (Rinaldi et al, 2007).…”

Evaluation of anatomic landmarks to increase precision performing a mini-hemilaminectomy—an ex vivo study in dogs

“…The pathology typically involves chondroid degeneration of the nucleus pulposus and rupture of the annulus fibrosus, resulting in herniation of nucleus material into the vertebral canal and subsequent spinal cord compression, primarily in the caudal thoracolumbar region between the twelfth thoracal vertebra (T12) and third lumbar vertebra (L3) ( 5 ). In 70–90% of the cases, the material is localized on the ventral, or ventrolateral, aspect of the vertebral canal ( 6 , 7 ).…”

“…The preferred treatment for patients with severe, ongoing, or progressive neurologic deficits is surgical decompression ( 5 ). Various techniques for decompressing the spinal cord in the thoracolumbar area exist, with hemilaminectomy and mini-hemilaminectomy being the most commonly employed ( 6 ). Some studies suggest that the mini-hemilaminectomy more effectively reduces spinal cord compression and leaves less residual disk material in the spinal canal compared to the traditional hemilaminectomy, although it is less popular than the hemilaminectomy among veterinary surgeons ( 8–10 ).…”

Topographic distribution of gastritis in heavy pigs investigated by a geographic information system approach

“…Geographic information system (GIS) in the format of computer software tools constitutes a powerful approach to store, analyse and manage epidemiological data. Although GIS is mainly applied for the investigation of the localisation and distribution of cases of various diseases in the environment, it can also be used for the positioning of pathology of organs in the body, as described by Daraban et al (2014), Pascotto et al (2014), and Imanieh et al (2015). The aim of present investigation was to determine the topographic distribution of gastritis lesions in pigs through the application of open source GIS software.…”