2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Ten Great Danes and 2 Doberman Pinschers with neurologic examination findings consistent with a cervical myelopathy were prospectively evaluated. All dogs underwent standard MRI in a neutral position (sagittal and transverse T1 and T2 weighted images) using a 3.0 T magnet. The patients were then placed in right lateral recumbency on a positioning device and the cervical vertebral column was first flexed and then extended. Sagittal and transverse T2 weighted images were acquired in both flexion and extension. Morphologic and morphometric assessments of the cervical vertebral column in neutral, flexion and extension were performed. Morphologic analysis included a modified spinal cord compression score (previously published), direction of spinal cord compression, signal intensity changes within the spinal cord, and worst site of spinal cord compression. Morphometric assessment included spinal cord height, intervertebral disc width, spinal cord width, spinal cord area, and vertebral canal height. A Fischer's exact test was used to evaluate the morphologic data and mixedeffects linear regression was used to analyze the morphometric data. Interobserver and intraobserver analyses were performed.