Prevalence of syringomyelia in clinically unaffected Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in Germany (2006–2016)

Summary

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of syringomyelia in clinically unaffected Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) in Germany. Material and methods: From 2006 to 2016 a total of 339 asymptomatic CKCSs from all over Germany were included. Age ranged from 3 months to 11 years (mean 3.72 years ± 2.17 years). T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images of the head and cervical spine were obtained. Results: Overall, 163 out of 339 (48.1 %) CKCSs showed evidence of syringomyelia. The results (odds ratio of 1.27 per year; p < 0.0001) corroborate the findings of other studies, in which the risk of developing syringomyelia increases with age. Conclusion and clinical relevance: In conclusion, around half of the dogs within the German CKCS population are affected by syringomyelia. The prevalence of syringomyelia of the German CKCS population is similar to that of the British CKCS population, which is subjected to breeding strategies on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging investigations.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel der Studie war, die aktuelle Prävalenz der Syringomyelie bei klinisch unauffälligen Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) in Deutschland zu bestimmen. Material und Methode: Die Untersuchungen im Zeitraum von 2006 bis 2016 erstreckten sich auf 339 klinisch unauffällige CKCS aus Deutschland im Alter zwischen 3 Monaten und 11 Jahren (arithmetischer Mittelwert 3,72 ± 2,17 Jahre). Es wurden T1-und T2-gewichtete magnetresonanztomographische Aufnahmen von Kopf und Halswirbelsäule angefertigt. Ergebnisse: Bei 163 von 339 (48,1 %) der CKCS konnte eine Syringomyelie nachgewiesen werden. Die Ergebnisse (Odds Ratio 1,23 pro Jahr; p < 0,0001) bestätigen die Resultate anderer Studien, nach denen das Risiko, eine Syringomyelie zu entwickeln, mit zunehmendem Alter ansteigt. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Etwa die Hälfte der deutschen CKCS-Population weist eine Syringomyelie auf. Die Prävalenz der Sringomyelie in der deutschen CKCS-Population entspricht derjenigen der britischen CKCS-Population, die Zuchtstrategien auf der Grundlage von magnetresonanztomographischen Untersuchungen unterliegt.

Keywords

Dog - Chiari-like malformation - craniocervical junction abnormality - magnetic resonance imaging

Schlüsselwörter

Hund - Chiari-ähnliche Malformation - Abnormalität des kraniozervi-kalen Übergangs - Magnetresonanztomographie

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