title: Multivariate analysis of morphometric characteristics to evaluate risk factors for cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in Labrador retrievers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the combination of conformation characteristics of the pelvic limbs of Labrador Retrievers that best discriminates between limb at risk to develop cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease and limbs at low risk using radiographs, computerized tomography (CT) images, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve clinically normal and 9 unilaterally CCL-deficient Labrador Retrievers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pelvic limbs of normal dogs were considered as non-predisposed to CCL disease and the contralateral limbs of CCL-deficient dogs as predisposed. Conformation variables, obtained from femur and tibial radiographs, pelvic limb CT images and DEXA studies, of predisposed pelvic limbs were compared with the conformation variables from pelvic limbs of the low-risk group. An ROC curve analysis was used to assess the discriminating properties of conformation variables for several combinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We determined that a combination of tibial plateau angle (TPA) and femoral anteversion angle (FAA) measured on radiographs was optimal for discriminating predisposed and non-predisposed limbs for CCL disease in Labrador Retrievers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Assessing predisposition to CCL disease with a combination of conformational measurements is better than using univariate parameters. In the future, TPA and FAA may be used to screen dogs suspected of being susceptible to CCL disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Surgery, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1008 West Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, USA. cimbs2@illinois.edu
authors.forename: Chantal A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ragetly
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Ayman A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mostafa
authors.forename: Dominique J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Griffon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors