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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Vet. Sci.
Sec. Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1549205
CT-and MRI-based volumetry for Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia in Pomeranians
Provisionally accepted- 1 IVC Evidensia Small Animal Referral Hospital Arnhem, Neurology, Arnhem, Netherlands
- 2 IVC Evidensia Small Animal Referral Hospital Hart van Brabant, Neurology, Waalwijk, Netherlands
- 3 Expertise Centre Genetics of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands, Netherlands
- 4 Vet Oracle Teleradiology, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Volumetric studies in relation to CM/SM have not been reported in Pomeranians. In this study, we aim to 1/ report the intermodality agreement between CT-and MRI-based volumetric measurements of the skull and cervical spinal canal, and 2/ assess for differences and associations between the volumetric measurements and CM/SM status. Methods: Pomeranians were included that underwent CT and MRI studies during the period of February 2022 to June 2024. Frontal sinus volume (FSV), caudal cranial fossa volume (CCFV), rostral and middle cranial fossa volume (RMCFV), caudal cranial fossa parenchymal volume (CCFPV), rostral and middle cranial fossa parenchymal volume (RMCFPV), cerebellar parenchymal volume (CPV), brain stem parenchymal volume (BSPV), ventricular system volume (VSV), and spinal canal volume between C1-C7 (CSCV) were measured. CCFV to RMCFV volume index (VI) and CCFPV to CCFV (CCFPV%) were calculated. Agreement between MRI-and CT-based quantitative measurements was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients. Inferential statistical tests including logistic regression modelling were performed to assess for associations between variables and CM/SM status. Results: For all volumetric assessments that were performed on both CT and MRI, agreement was good or excellent. There were significant differences between SM normal and abnormal dogs for body weight as well as all volumetric parameters except for CCFPV% and RMCFV. Multiple logistic regression showed that a smaller CCFV and larger VSV were associated with SM. Conclusion: Smaller CCFV and larger VSV are associated with the development of SM in Pomeranians and have increased odds of SM.
Keywords: CM/SM, Volumetry, segmentation, caudal cranial fossa, Ventricular system
Received: 20 Dec 2024; Accepted: 12 Feb 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Santifort, Carrera and Mandigers. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Koen Santifort, IVC Evidensia Small Animal Referral Hospital Arnhem, Neurology, Arnhem, Netherlands
Paul Mandigers, IVC Evidensia Small Animal Referral Hospital Arnhem, Neurology, Arnhem, Netherlands
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