Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Cervical Spondylomyelopathy in the Great Dane Breed: Anatomic, Diagnostic Imaging, Functional, and Biochemical Characterization

Martin Vaquero, Paula

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Veterinary Clinical Sciences.
Cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) is the most common disease affecting the cervical vertebral column of large and giant breed dogs, with the osseous-associated form of the disease being the most prevalent in giant breed dogs. Among the giant breeds, Great Dane dogs are the most frequently affected. While there are several prospective studies evaluating the clinical, imaging, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and electrodiagnostic features of disc-associated CSM, no equivalent studies are available for the osseous-associated form of the disease. The pathologic changes underlying both forms of CSM are different and the results from studies investigating disc-associated CSM cannot be extrapolated to the osseous-associated form. The goal of this thesis was to perform a thorough and prospective investigation of the anatomic, diagnostic imaging, functional, and biochemical characterization of osseous-associated CSM in the Great Dane breed. In order to do this, 15 clinically normal (control) and 15 CSM-affected Great Danes (GDs) were enrolled and underwent physical and neurological examinations, radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical vertebral column, transcranial magnetic motor evoked potential (TMMEPs), and cerebellomedullary cistern CSF collection. This thesis consists of seven experiments aimed at expanding the current knowledge available on the osseous-associated form of CSM in GDs. The goal of the first experiment was to compare the body conformation of the two groups of dogs (control vs. CSM-affected). Previously published literature had suggested that differences in body conformation were involved in the pathogenesis of CSM in GDs, but no objective study had investigated this theory. Six body measurements were obtained for each dog. Overall, no significant differences were identified between groups. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that differences in body conformation play a role in the pathogenesis of CSM in GDs. The objective of the second experiment was to investigate the use of intravertebral and intervertebral ratios obtained from lateral radiographs and a novel ratio obtained from ventrodorsal radiographs of the cervical vertebral column in the evaluation of clinically normal and CSM-affected GDs. There were no differences in either the intravertebral or the intervertebral ratios obtained on lateral radiographs between groups. The ratio of the distance between articular process joints obtained on ventrodorsal radiographs was significantly smaller in CSM-affected GDs at C5-6 and C6-7, and was significantly associated with the presence of spinal cord (SC) compression. This novel ventrodorsal ratio may be used as an initial screening method in GDs with suspected CSM. The third study included a morphologic MRI evaluation and comparison of various morphologic features of the cervical vertebral canal and SC between control and CSM affected GDs. The study showed that clinically normal GDs can have MRI abnormalities without the presence of neurologic signs. Severe SC compression, severe foraminal stenosis, and the presence of SC signal changes distinguish CSM-affected from control GDs. The fourth study was a characterization of the MRI morphometric features of the cervical vertebral column of control and CSM-affected GDs. Affected dogs had significantly larger caudal articular processes areas and smaller middle foraminal heights through the entire cervical vertebral column. Affected GDs also had smaller vertebral canal and SC areas at C5-6 and C6-7 and narrower intervertebral discs than control dogs. The fifth experiment included 15 CSM-affected GDs. Noncontrast CT and MRI of the cervical vertebral column were performed. Three observers independently evaluated the vertebral column morphology and lesion severity using both imaging modalities and interobserver and intermethod agreements were calculated. While different observers frequently agreed on the main site of compression when using both noncontrast CT and MRI, there was considerable variation between imaging modalities and among observers when assessing articular process joint characteristics and foraminal stenosis. Computed tomography yielded more consistent results among observers in the evaluation of the cervical articular process joints. The discrepancies noted in this study highlight the need to use caution when comparing image interpretations from multiple observers in the evaluation of OA-CSM. The sixth experiment included 14 CSM-affected and 15 control GDs. All dogs underwent TMMEPs under sedation and latencies and amplitudes were recorded from the extensor carpi radialis and cranial tibial muscles. Results were compared between groups and correlated with the severity of neurological signs and the presence and severity of SC compression on MRI. Affected dogs had longer TMMEPs latencies than control GDs. There was a significant association between the severity of neurological signs and of SC compression and the cranial tibial latencies in affected dogs. This study established reference ranges for TMMEPs in GDs and showed that TMMEPs are a viable test to assess the functionality of the SC motor pathways in CSM-affected GDs. The seventh study included 15 control and 15 CSM-affected GDs. Cerebellomedullary cistern CSF collection was performed and a commercially available immunoassay was used to investigate and compare the CSF cytokine profile of both groups. Affected dogs had significantly lower monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/chemokine ligand 2 (MCP-1/CCL2) concentrations than control GDs, and this concentration correlated inversely with the severity of SC compression. Lower MCP-1/CCL2 concentrations in CSM-affected GDs may compromise the clearance of axonal and myelin debris, delay axon regeneration, and affect recovery in affected dogs. Higher interleukin-6 concentrations were measured in affected GDs with SC signal changes than in those affected dogs without SC signal changes, suggesting more severe neuroinflammation in the first group of affected dogs.
Ronaldo da Costa (Advisor)
Sarah Moore (Committee Member)
Matthew Allen (Committee Member)
Tod Drost (Committee Member)
365 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Martin Vaquero, P. (2014). Cervical Spondylomyelopathy in the Great Dane Breed: Anatomic, Diagnostic Imaging, Functional, and Biochemical Characterization [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1397420434

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Martin Vaquero, Paula. Cervical Spondylomyelopathy in the Great Dane Breed: Anatomic, Diagnostic Imaging, Functional, and Biochemical Characterization. 2014. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1397420434.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Martin Vaquero, Paula. "Cervical Spondylomyelopathy in the Great Dane Breed: Anatomic, Diagnostic Imaging, Functional, and Biochemical Characterization." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1397420434

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)