Glottic and skull indices in canine brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome

Roberta Caccamo,Giuseppe La Rosa,Stefano Romussi,Matteo Cantatore,Paolo Buracco

doi:10.1186/1746-6148-10-12

Roberta Caccamo, Giuseppe La Rosa + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-10-12

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Abstract

BackgroundForty dogs presented for brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome with laryngeal collapse not over 1st degree (saccule eversion) underwent glottis endoscopic and radiographic skull measurements before surgery. Fifteen Pugs, fifteen French and ten English Bulldogs were included. The goals were prospectively to compare three common brachycephalic breeds for anatomical differences regarding glottis and skull measurements, and to assess if any correlation between glottis and skull measurements was present. Linear measurements were used to obtain glottis and skull indices. Correlations between glottis and skull indices and glottic measurements were evaluated. Finally, glottis indices were compared among the three breeds.ResultsNo correlation was found for glottis and skull indices. The glottic index differed among the three breeds (smaller in Pugs and higher in English Bulldogs), ultimately representing a morphologic indicator of the different larynx shape in the three breeds (more rounded in English Bulldogs, more elliptical in Pugs and in-between in French Bulldogs).ConclusionsThe lack of correlation between skull/glottic indices does not support skull morphology as predictor of glottic morphology. As Pugs had the lowest glottic index, it may be speculated that Pugs’ original narrow glottic width may predispose to further progressive respiratory deterioration more easily than in the other two breeds.

Highlights

Forty dogs presented for brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome with laryngeal collapse not over 1st degree underwent glottis endoscopic and radiographic skull measurements before surgery
As laryngeal collapse appears as one of the most threatening secondary effects of airway obstruction during the progression of Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS), authors’ goal was to look for potential differences of the laryngeal shape among three common brachycephalic canine breeds presented for BAOS surgery
Forty dogs affected with BAOS were included in the study, subdivided as follows: 15 Pugs (37.5%), 15 French Bulldogs (FB, 37.5%), and 10 English Bulldogs (EB, 25%)

Summary

Introduction

Forty dogs presented for brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome with laryngeal collapse not over 1st degree (saccule eversion) underwent glottis endoscopic and radiographic skull measurements before surgery. As laryngeal collapse appears as one of the most threatening secondary effects of airway obstruction during the progression of BAOS, authors’ goal was to look for potential differences of the laryngeal shape among three common brachycephalic canine breeds presented for BAOS surgery. For this purpose only symptomatic dogs for BAOS with not over a first degree laryngeal collapse at endoscopy were chosen. Attention was driven to ascertain if the larynx shape (mainly a narrow glottis opening) could be predicted based on the morphometric study of the skull

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