title: Comparison of cross sectional area and fat infiltration of the epaxial muscles in dogs with and without spinal cord compression.
abstract: This study investigated the cross sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration of the epaxial muscles in Dachshunds with compressive spinal cord lesions due to intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) and in dogs with non-compressive spinal cord lesions with fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE). The CSA and fat infiltration of the multifidi and longissimus dorsi muscles were determined from T1 weighted magnetic resonance images. Difference in CSA and fat infiltration between the lesion- and non-lesion side in the Dachshunds was assessed using mixed model analysis. Difference in CSA and fat infiltration between Dachshunds and FCE dogs was analysed with independent sample t-tests. There was no difference in CSA or fat infiltration between sides in the Dachshunds. FCE dogs had greater CSA (multifidus P = 0.036, longissimus P < 0.001) and less fat infiltration compared to Dachshunds (longissimus P = 0.017). Duration of neurological deficits, age, body size and conformation are likely to have influenced the difference between the groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57 (Viikintie 49) Helsinki 00014, Finland. Electronic address: anna.bostrom@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Anna F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Boström
authors.affiliation: Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57 (Viikintie 49) Helsinki 00014, Finland.
authors.forename: Anna K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Hielm-Björkman
authors.affiliation: The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: Yu-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weller
authors.affiliation: The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: Emma S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004617:Embolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: CSA; Dachshund; Epaxial muscle; Intervertebral disc herniation; MRI; Multifidus