J Vet Sci.  2014 Jun;15(2):187-193. 10.4142/jvs.2014.15.2.187.

Computed tomographic evaluation of cervical vertebral canal and spinal cord morphometry in normal dogs

• Seo E
• Choi J
• Choi M
• Yoon J

• KMID: 1784638
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2014.15.2.187

Abstract

The height, width, and cross-sectional area of the vertebral canal and spinal cord along with the area ratio of spinal cord to vertebral canal in the cervical vertebra were evaluated in images obtained using computed tomography (CT). Measurements were taken at the cranial, middle, and caudal point of each cervical vertebra in eight clinically normal small breed dogs (two shih tzu, two miniature schnauzers, and four mixed breed), 10 beagles, and four German shepherds. CT myelography facilitated the delineation of the epidural space, subarachnoid space, and spinal cord except at the caudal portion of the 7th cervical vertebra. The spinal cord had a tendency to have a clear ventral border in the middle portion of the vertebral canal and lateral borders near both end plates. The height, width, and area of the vertebral canal and spinal cord in the cervical vertebra were increased as the size of dog increased. However, the ratio of the spinal cord area to vertebral canal area in the small dogs was higher than that of the larger dogs. Results of the present study could provide basic and quantitative information for CT evaluation of pathologic lesions in the cervical vertebra and spinal cord.

Keyword

cervical vertebra; computed tomography; dog; spinal cord; vertebral canal

MeSH Terms

Animals
Body Size
Cervical Vertebrae/*anatomy & histology/radiography
Dogs/*anatomy & histology/growth & development
Reference Values
Spinal Canal/*anatomy & histology/radiography
Spinal Cord/*anatomy & histology/radiography
Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*veterinary

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Reformatted sagittal image of the fourth cervical vertebra derived from the initial transverse image. Arrows indicate the cranial (Cr), middle (M), and caudal (Cd) points that were used to measure the height, width, and area of the spinal cord and vertebral canal.

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  Fig. 2 Height, width, and area of the vertebral canal and spinal cord in the middle portion of the fourth cervical vertebra were measured on the images in which the vertebra window (A) and vertebra window (B) were manipulated.

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