title: Low-field magnetic resonance imaging findings of the caudal portion of the cervical region in clinically normal Doberman Pinschers and Foxhounds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the spectrum and frequency of abnormalities for low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of clinically normal Doberman Pinschers and Foxhounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  37 clinically normal dogs (20 Doberman Pinschers and 17 Foxhounds).
  
  
  METHODS
  For each dog, MRI of the cervical vertebrae (sagittal, dorsal, and transverse T1- and T2-weighted images) was performed. Variables assessed were intervertebral disk degeneration, disk-associated compression, compression of the dorsal portion of the spinal cord, vertebral body abnormalities, and changes in intraparenchymal signal intensity. Associations between these variables and age, breed, sex, and location of the assessed intervertebral disk spaces were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Severe MRI abnormalities were detected in 17 dogs, including complete disk degeneration (n = 4 dogs), spinal cord compression (3), or both (10). Vertebral body abnormalities were detected in 8 dogs, and hyperintense signal intensity was detected in 2 dogs. Severity of disk degeneration and disk-associated compression was significantly associated with increased age. There was a significant association between disk degeneration, disk-associated compression, and compression of the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord and location of the assessed intervertebral disk space, with the intervertebral disk spaces in the caudal portion of the cervical region being more severely affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abnormalities were commonly seen on MRI examinations of the caudal portion of the cervical vertebral column and spinal cord of clinically normal Doberman Pinchers and Foxhounds. Such lesions were probably part of the typical spinal cord degeneration associated with the aging process of dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. steven.dedecker@ugent.be
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Decker
authors.forename: Ingrid M V L
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Gielen
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duchateau
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van Soens
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bavegems
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bosmans
authors.forename: Henri J J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: van Bree
authors.forename: Luc M L
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Van Ham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology*