title: Evaluation of intervertebral disk degeneration in chondrodystrophic and nonchondrodystrophic dogs by use of Pfirrmann grading of images obtained with low-field magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether the Pfirrmann system for grading lumbar intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration in humans can also be used in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  202 dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Magnetic resonance imaging was used to obtain images of vertebral segments from dogs, which were reviewed separately by 3 observers who graded the extent of degeneration in each visible IVD by use of the Pfirrmann classification system used for grading lumbar IVD degeneration in humans. Grading was validated against 2 factors associated with the extent of disk degeneration: type of dog (chondrodystrophic or nonchondrodystrophic breeds) and age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interobserver and intraobserver agreement for Pfirrmann grading of IVD degeneration were good (κ scores, 0.81 to 0.93). An increase in the extent of disk degeneration was positively correlated with increases in age and with chondrodystrophic breed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Pfirrmann system was reliably used to grade IVD degeneration in dogs of various breeds and ages. An increase in the extent of IVD degeneration was positively correlated with increases in age and with chondrodystrophic-type dogs.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands. n.bergknut@uu.nl
authors: Niklas
authors: N
authors: Bergknut
authors: Edoardo
authors: E
authors: Auriemma
authors: Saffiera
authors: S
authors: Wijsman
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Voorhout
authors: Ragnvi
authors: R
authors: Hagman
authors: Anne-Sofie
authors: AS
authors: Lagerstedt
authors: Herman A W
authors: HA
authors: Hazewinkel
authors: Björn P
authors: BP
authors: Meij
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D015588:Observer Variation; D010375:Pedigree; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology