Congenital thoracic vertebral malformations in brachycephalic “screw-tailed” dog breeds: Validation of a human classification scheme and a method of Cobb angle measurement in the assessment of vertebral column deformity

[摘要] Congenital vertebral malformations are common in brachycephalic “screw-tailed” dogbreeds such as French bulldogs, English bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Pugs. Thosevertebral malformations disrupt the normal vertebral column anatomy and biomechanics,potentially leading to deformity of the vertebral column and subsequent neurologicaldysfunction. The initial aim of this work was to study and determine whether thecongenital vertebral malformations identified in those breeds could be translated in aradiographic classification scheme used in humans to give an improved classification, withclear and well-defined terminology, with the expectation that this would facilitate futurestudy and clinical management in the veterinary field. Therefore, two observers who wereblinded to the neurologic status of the dogs classified each vertebral malformation basedon the human classification scheme of McMaster and were able to translate themsuccessfully into a new classification scheme for veterinary use.The following aim was to assess the nature and the impact of vertebral column deformityengendered by those congenital vertebral malformations in the target breeds. As no goldstandard exists in veterinary medicine for the calculation of the degree of deformity, it waselected to adapt the human equivalent, termed the Cobb angle, as a potential standardreference tool for use in veterinary practice. For the validation of the Cobb anglemeasurement method, a computerised semi-automatic technique was used and assessed bymultiple independent observers. They observed not only that Kyphosis was the mostcommon vertebral column deformity but also that patients with such deformity were foundto be more likely to suffer from neurological deficits, more especially if their Cobb anglewas above 35 degrees.

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow;Department:School of Veterinary Medicine

[关键词] SF600 Veterinary Medicine