Computed Tomographic Features of Non-Lame French Bulldog Elbows

Abstract

Objective French Bulldogs are predisposed to humeral condylar fractures. Computed tomography (CT) in English Springer Spaniel elbows has allowed identification of humeral intracondylar fissures (HIF), which can cause lameness and predispose to condylar fractures. This study aimed to evaluate CT characteristics of non-lame French Bulldog elbows, to determine the presence of underlying elbow disease.

Study Design Retrospective evaluation of CT images from elbows of non-lame French Bulldogs from scans obtained for soft tissue or neurological evaluation was performed. Images were evaluated for the presence of HIF and other elbow abnormalities: condylar and supracondylar remodelling, humeral condylar sclerosis, elbow incongruency, medial coronoid process disease and elbow osteoarthritis. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results Computed tomographic scans from 37 dogs (74 elbows) were reviewed. No HIF were identified, although 28/74 elbows had an intracondylar sclerotic band. Medial coronoid process disease was noted in 16/74 elbows, and small osteophytes were present in 21/74 elbows, suggesting a degree of subclinical elbow disease. Widening of the caudolateral aspect of the radial incisure was identified (37/74) as a breed normal. Elbow incongruency was otherwise rare.

Conclusion Non-lame French Bulldogs showed a low prevalence of occult elbow disease but a proportion had radial incisure widening. Although humeral intracondylar sclerosis was present in over a third of dogs, no HIF were identified and therefore no clear cause for their increased risk of humeral condylar fracture was identified.

Keywords

French Bulldog - computed tomography - elbow disease - humeral condylar fracture

Ethical Statement

Ethics approval was obtained by the Ethical Review Board at the institution (URN; SR2020–0132).

Equipment

• CT (320-slice CT scanner [Canon Medical Systems, Aquilion ONE Genesis Edition, Tochigi, Japan])

Authors' Contributions

R.L.M. contributed to the conception of the study and study design. S.M. contributed to the study design, acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation, and drafting of the manuscript. H.D. contributed to the study design, acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation. All authors revised and approved the submitted manuscript.

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 09. Juli 2021

Angenommen: 08. Februar 2022

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
11. März 2022

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