2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Nine client-owned DPs that had a neurologic examination consistent with a cervical myelopathy were prospectively evaluated. All dogs underwent standard MRI in a neutral position using a 3.0 T magnet. Following standard MRI, the patients were placed in right lateral recumbency on a positioning device and additional MRI sequences were obtained with the cervical vertebral column positioned in flexion and extension. Morphologic and morphometric assessments were performed using the neutral, traction, flexion and extension images. 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 mixed-effects linear regression was used to analyse the morphometric data. Interobserver and intraobserver analyses were performed.