J Vet Sci.  2018 Jan;19(1):145-150. 10.4142/jvs.2018.19.1.145.

Variation of canine vertebral bone architecture in computed tomography

• Cheon B
• Park S
• Lee SK
• Park JG
• Cho KO
• Choi J

• KMID: 2402705
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2018.19.1.145

Abstract

Focal vertebral bone density changes were assessed in vertebral computed tomography (CT) images obtained from clinically healthy dogs without diseases that affect bone density. The number, location, and density of lesions were determined. A total of 429 vertebral CT images from 20 dogs were reviewed, and 99 focal vertebral changes were identified in 14 dogs. Focal vertebral bone density changes were mainly found in thoracic vertebrae (29.6%) as hyperattenuating (86.9%) lesions. All focal vertebral changes were observed at the vertebral body, except for a single hyperattenuating change in one thoracic transverse process. Among the hyperattenuating changes, multifocal changes (53.5%) were more common than single changes (46.5%). Most of the hypoattenuating changes were single (92.3%). Eight dogs, 40% of the 20 dogs in the study and 61.6% of the 13 dogs showing focal vertebral changes in the thoracic vertebra, had hyperattenuating changes at the 7th or 8th thoracic vertebra. Our results indicate that focal changes in vertebral bone density are commonly identified on vertebral CT images in healthy dogs, and these changes should be taken into consideration on interpretation of CT images.

Keyword

bone density; canine; computed tomography; spine

MeSH Terms

Animals
Bone Density
Dogs
Spine
Thoracic Vertebrae

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Transverse computed tomographic images of vertebrae in clinically healthy dogs showing focal attenuation changes; hyperattenuating change as single (A) and multiple (B, arrows) lesions in vertebral bodies, a single hyperattenuating change (C, arrow) at the junction between the left transverse vertebra and the vertebral body, and a single hypoattenuating lesion (D).

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  Fig. 2 Transverse computed tomographic (CT) images (B and D) with corresponding reference (dotted lines) on the reconstructed sagittal planes (A and C) of vertebrae in a dog with spondylosis deformans. On transverse images of the 1st lumbar vertebra (B), a solitary hyperattenuating lesion (black arrow) in the vertebral body was observed, and continuation of the hyperattenuating lesion with spondylosis deformans was not observed in adjacent CT slices. A gas (white arrow) accumulation within the vertebral body, a vacuum phenomenon, was incidentally found. Transverse images of the 2nd lumbar vertebra (D) revealed osteoproductive change (white arrows) in the ventral aspect of the vertebral body related with spondylosis deformans.

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