title: Prognostic value of early magnetic resonance imaging in dogs after traumatic brain injury: 50 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prognostic value of early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in dogs after traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Determine whether MRI findings are associated with prognosis after TBI in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty client-owned dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study of dogs with TBI that underwent 1.5T MRI within 14 days after head trauma. MRI evaluators were blinded to the clinical presentation, and all images were scored based on an MRI grading system (Grade I [normal brain parenchyma] to Grade VI [bilateral lesions affecting the brainstem with or without any lesions of lesser grade]). Skull fractures, percentage of intraparenchymal lesions, degree of midline shift, and type of brain herniation were evaluated. MGCS was assessed at presentation. The presence of seizures was recorded. Outcome was assessed at 48 h (alive or dead) and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after TBI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-six percent of the dogs had abnormal MRI findings. MRI grade was negatively correlated (P < .001) with MGCS. A significant negative correlation of MRI grade, degree of midline shift, and percentage of intraparenchymal lesions with follow-up scores was identified. The MGCS was lower in dogs with brain herniation (P = .0191). Follow-up scores were significantly lower in dogs that had brain herniation or skull fractures. The possibility of having seizures was associated with higher percentage of intraparenchymal lesions (P = 0.0054) and 10% developed PTE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant associations exist between MRI findings and prognosis in dogs with TBI. MRI can help to predict prognosis in dogs with TBI.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Small Animal Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beltran
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Platt
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: McConnell
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Keys
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Risio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale / Q000662:veterinary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000662:veterinary; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Dogs; MRI; Prognostic; Traumatic brain injury