Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2016; 29(03): 220-226
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-15-11-0181
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Influence of chondrodystrophy and brachycephaly on geometry of the humerus in dogs

Emily J. Smith
1   Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
,
Denis J. Marcellin-Little
2   Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
,
Ola L. A. Harrysson
3   Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
,
Emily H. Griffith
4   Department of Statistics, College of Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
› Author Affiliations

The authors thank Ms. Alice Harvey for preparing the illustration. This manuscript represents a portion of the dissertation submitted by Ms. Smith to the North Carolina State University Department of Biomedical Engineering as partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy degree. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship program under NSF Grant No. DGE-1252376.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 10 November 2015

Accepted: 24 February 2016

Publication Date:
17 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objective: To assess the geometry of canine humeri as seen on radiographs in chondrodystrophic dogs (CD) and brachycephalic dogs (BD) compared to non-chondrodystrophic dogs (NCD).

Methods: Mediolateral (ML) and craniocaudal (CC) radiographs of skeletally mature humeri were used (CD [n = 5], BD [n = 9], NCD [n = 48]) to evaluate general dimensions (length, width, canal flare, cortical thickness), curvature (shaft, humeral head, and glenoid), and angulation (humeral head and condyle). Measurements from CD, BD, and NCD were compared.

Results: Mean humeral length was shorter in CD (108 mm) compared to BD (184 mm, p = 0.001) and NCD (183 mm, p <0.001). Craniocaudal cortical thickness at 70% of humeral length and ML cortical thickness at 30%, 50%, and 70% of humeral length were less in CD compared to BD and NCD. Humeral shaft curvature was greater in CD (9.9°) compared to BD (6.7°, p = 0.023). The ratio of glenoid radius of curvature / humeral length was greater for CD (11.1%) compared to NCD (9.7%, p = 0.013). The ratio of humeral width / humeral length was greater for BD (29.4%) compared to NCD (26.2%, p = 0.043). The ratio of glenoid length / humeral length was greater in CD (18.0%) than BD (16.4%, p = 0.048) and NCD (15.6%, p <0.001).

Clinical significance: Bone proportions and curvature in CD differ from BD and NCD. Differences are minor and unlikely to have clinical significance.