title: Craniomaxillofacial abnormalities in dogs with congenital palatal defects: computed tomographic findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate craniomaxillofacial abnormalities in dogs with congenital palatal defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective computed tomography (CT) study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs with congenital palatal defects (n = 9).
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records and CT reports (1995-2012) were searched for dogs with a diagnosis of cleft palate that had a CT study. Data retrieved were: breed, age, sex, weight, physical examination, and laboratory findings, number of previous palate surgeries, and oral/dental examination findings with the diagnosis of the cleft for each dog. CT studies of the head were reviewed on a structure-by-structure basis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tympanic bullae were most commonly found to be abnormal (8 dogs), followed by nasal turbinates (6), nasal septum, vomer, cribriform plate (4), frontal sinuses, and lateral ventricles (3). Other abnormalities were related to occlusion, teeth, incisive bones, maxillary bones, mandibles, hyoid apparatus, cranial bones, and nasopharynx. The soft tissue defect of the cleft was always smaller than the bony defect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Craniomaxillofacial abnormalities in dogs with congenital palatal defects are common and some of these may negatively affect the quality of life. Importantly for surgical planning, the soft tissue component of the cleft may underestimate the extent of the bony defect, especially in failed repairs.
authors.affiliation: William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nemec
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daniaux
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peralta
authors.forename: Frank J M
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Verstraete
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000002:abnormalities; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000002:abnormalities; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary