Canine intervertebral disks: correlation of anatomy and MR imaging.
Because the structure, maturation, and degeneration of canine intervertebral disks resemble those of humans, the authors developed a model of acute intervertebral disk degeneration in dogs. Herniated disks of 18 dogs were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and then sectioned with a freezing microtome. On the basis of their morphologic appearance in the freezing microtome sections, most of the lumbar intervertebral disks could be categorized as one of six types. Each type has characteristic features and a distinctive appearance on MR images. Findings of this study--including decreased signal intensity from the intervertebral disk, altered signal intensity in contiguous bone marrow, bulging of the anulus fibrosus, herniation of the nucleus pulposus, and contrast enhancement after intravenous administration of gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)--resemble observations from human clinical studies. Classification of degenerating disks and identification of MR imaging characteristics of each type may improve the interpretation of MR images and recognition of early disk degeneration in humans.
Sether
L A
LA
Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Milwaukee 53226.
Nguyen
C
C
Yu
S N
SN
Haughton
V M
VM
Ho
K C
KC
Biller
D S
DS
Strandt
J A
JA
Eurell
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000662:veterinary; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA