Vertebral Length Research Articles

Bone resorption phenomenon following anterior-posterior combined cervical fusion surgery: is it a pathologic finding?

Anterior vertebral bone resorption, commonly observed in cervical disc replacement (CDR) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), has not been extensively studied in the context of APCF. This study aims to investigate the phenomenon of anterior vertebral bone resorption following APCF, its potential causes, and its clinical significance. A retrospective analysis was performed on 177 patients (857 vertebral segments) who underwent multilevel APCF between April 2014 and April 2022. Radiographs and CT scans were used to measure anterior-posterior vertebral body length (APL) and its ratio to the C2 vertebra (APLR) immediate-postoperatively and at 1-year follow-up. The bone resorption ratio (BRR) quantified changes in APLR. Correlations between lordosis and BRR were evaluated using Pearson's correlation and linear regression. Intra- and inter-observer reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Bone resorption was significantly greater in well-fused AP group compared to pseudoarthrosis or posterior-only fused segments (mean BRR: 11.9%, 5.1%, -1.3%, respectively; P < 0.001). Greater postoperative lordosis correlated positively with higher BRR (R = 0.263, P < 0.001), while a reduction in lordosis correlated negatively with BRR (R=-0.285, P = 0.01). Intra- and inter-observer reliability were excellent, with ICC values ranging from 0.77 to 0.85. Anterior vertebral bone resorption in APCF is a physiological phenomenon reflecting biomechanical adaptation according to Wolff's law. It is more pronounced in well-fused segments with a greater degree of lordosis and may indicate successful fusion and good sagittal alignment restoration. Further research is needed to evaluate its long-term clinical implications.

The prevalence of congenital cervical stenosis differs based on race.

The prevalence of congenital cervical stenosis differs based on race.

RADIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENT OF CARDIAC SIZE BY USING MULTIPLE SCALING SYSTEMS IN HEALTHY CAPTIVE AYE-AYES (DAUBENTONIA MADAGASCARIENSIS).

The aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) is an unusual lemur with a small population in human care. Cardiac pathologies, but not normal size parameters, have been reported in this species. This study aimed to determine whether radiographic cardiac scaling systems commonly used to evaluate heart size in domestic mammals have potential clinical application in aye-ayes. Selected cardiac silhouette, vertebral, and intrathoracic skeletal dimensions were measured retrospectively on paired sets of orthogonal thoracic radiographs collected during health examinations of aye-ayes maintained at three British zoos. Measurements from 21 healthy aye-ayes (10 males, 11 females) of varying ages were used to calculate reference intervals (RI) with 90% confidence intervals for vertebral heart scale in both right lateral (VHS-RLat) and ventrodorsal (VHS-VD) projections, a modified VHS (VHS-Mod), thoracic inlet heart size (TIHS), and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR). VHS-VD (9.49 ± 0.29) was slightly higher than VHS-RLat (9.32 ± 0.33; P = 0.08) and had the lowest coefficient of variation of the scaling indices; TIHS was 4.89 ± 0.36, VHS-Mod was 11.07 ± 0.49, and CTR was 0.53 ± 0.05. Thoracic depth-to-width ratio of aye-ayes ranged between 0.75 and 0.91, equivalent to an intermediate thoracic morphology in dogs. No scaling indices differed significantly by sex, age group, or thoracic morphology; however, VHS-Mod and CTR were significantly correlated with bodyweight (P = 0.0022 and P = 0.041, respectively) and CTR with age (P = 0.02). Summed cardiac dimensions demonstrated a near-linear relationship with bodyweight and T4 vertebral length (both P < 0.05), but not thoracic inlet length (P = 0.12). Analysis of measurements by using serial radiographs from hand-reared animals indicated potential utility of RI in aye-ayes >0.4 yr. Overall, results suggest VHS-VD and VHS-RLat are preferred cardiac scaling indices in aye-ayes. These data will aid zoo clinicians in the evaluation of cardiac size and identification of cardiomegaly in this endangered primate.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms that shape the development and evolution of tail vertebral proportion in mice and jerboas.

Despite the functional importance of the vertebral skeleton, little is known about how individual vertebrae elongate or achieve disproportionate lengths as in the giraffe neck. Rodent tails are an abundantly diverse and more tractable system to understand mechanisms of vertebral growth and proportion. In many rodents, disproportionately long mid-tail vertebrae form a 'crescendo-decrescendo' of lengths in the tail series. In bipedal jerboas, these vertebrae grow exceptionally long such that the adult tail is 1.5x the length of a mouse tail, relative to body length, with four fewer vertebrae. How do vertebrae with the same regional identity elongate differently from their neighbors to establish and diversify adult proportion? Here, we find that vertebral lengths are largely determined by differences in growth cartilage height and the number of cells progressing through endochondral ossification. Hypertrophic chondrocyte size, a major contributor to differential elongation in mammal limb bones, differs only in the longest jerboa mid-tail vertebrae where they are exceptionally large. To uncover candidate molecular mechanisms of disproportionate vertebral growth, we performed intersectional RNA-Seq of mouse and jerboa tail vertebrae with similar and disproportionate elongation rates. Many regulators of posterior axial identity and endochondral elongation are disproportionately differentially expressed in jerboa vertebrae. Among these, the inhibitory natriuretic peptide receptor C (NPR3) appears in multiple studies of rodent and human skeletal proportion suggesting it refines local growth rates broadly in the skeleton and broadly in mammals. Consistent with this hypothesis, NPR3 loss of function mice have abnormal tail and limb proportions. Therefore, in addition to genetic components of the complex process of vertebral evolution, these studies reveal fundamental mechanisms of skeletal growth and proportion.

Effect of screw insertion depth into fractured vertebrae in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures

PurposeThe study’s objective was to assess the effect of the screw insertion depth into fractured vertebrae in treating thoracolumbar fractures.Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 92 patients with thoracolumbar fractures from December 2018 to February 2020. Patients had AO type A2, A3 thoracolumbar fractures. The patients were divided into two groups according to the screw insertion depth. The vertebral wedge angle (VWA), Cobb angle (CA), anterior vertebral body height (AVBH), middle vertebral body height (MVBH), visual analog scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were compared preoperatively and at one week and 12 months postoperatively. The correlation between Vertebral height loss and potential risk factors, such as sex, age, BMD and BMI was evaluated.ResultsCompared with the preoperative data, the postoperative clinical and radiographic findings were significantly different in both groups, But no significant difference between the two groups at 1 week. At 1 year postoperatively, there was a significant difference in the CA (p < 0.0001), VWA (p = 0.047), AVBH (p < 0.0001), MVBH (p < 0.0001), VAS score (p < 0.0001), and ODI (p < 0.0001) between the two groups, Except for age, bone density and other influencing factors the long screw group had better treatment results than the short screw group.ConclusionA longer screw provides greater grip on the fractured vertebral body and stronger support to the vertebral plate. The optimal screw placement depth exceeds 60% of the vertebral body length on the lateral view.

Comparative Radiographic Mapping of the Skeletal System of Male and Female Savannah Monitor Lizard (&lt;i&gt;Veranus Exanthematicus&lt;/i&gt;)

The aim of this study is to establish the radiographic mapping of the skeletal system of the male and female Savannah Monitor lizards since there is a dearth of information on them. Radiographs of various parts of the skeletal system of a male and female monitor lizards were taken and their measured anatomic parts were compared. The Lizards were hand-captured and anesthetized with atropine sulfate (0.02 mg/kg), chlorpromazine (10mg/kg), and ketamine (15 mg/kg) for restaint and positioning for x-ray exposures. Using a portable X- ray machine, radiographs were obtained with the following exposure settings: for the body, KVP = 75, MA = 50, and mAs = 10; for the tail, KVP = 70, MA = 50, and mAs = 10. With the lizards on sternal recumbency, the radiographs of head to caudal abdomen including the limbs and tail were obtained. The number of vertebral bones, snout-totail length, vertebral length, horizontal and vertical rib lengths, and appendage lengths were obtained and images analyzed. The male lizard weighed 1.4 kg with a body length of 102 cm, while the female weighed 1.7 kg and had a body length of 105 cm. Comparison of the skeletal measurements revealed that both lizards had similar dimensions in terms of snout-to-tail length and the number of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae. However, the female had more coccygeal vertebrae (45) compared to the male (43). Additionally, the female had longer horizontal ribs (6 cm vs. 4 cm) and vertical ribs (3 cm vs. 2 cm) compared to the male. In conclusion, the female monitor lizard exhibited greater body length, body weight, and rib dimensions, likely due to being older than the male as there is very little difference in rate of growth of both sexes when young.

Cymbospondylus (Ichthyopterygia) from the Early Triassic of Svalbard and the early evolution of large body size in ichthyosaurs

Ichthyosaurs were a highly successful group of marine reptiles in the Mesozoic. The ichthyosaur radiation is part of the recovery from the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. In the Early Triassic, this group underwent extensive global radiation, filling ecological niches for the first time that were later occupied by various other lineages of marine amniotes. However, the evolution of body size in ichthyosaurs is not fully understood, as most large-bodied taxa originate from the Middle Triassic and later, and are mostly known from only a few specimens. In this study, we describe three articulated posterior dorsal vertebrae (IGPB R660) of the ichthyosaur Cymbospondylus sp. from the latest Olenekian Keyserlingites subrobustus zone of the Vikinghøgda Formation of the Agardhdalen area, eastern Spitsbergen, Svalbard. We numerically estimated the total body length of IGPB R660 from dorsal vertebral centrum length using a comparative dataset of other species of the genus and two different allometric analyses. This approach yields total length estimates of 7.5 m and 9.5 m for the individual, respectively, the highest for any unambiguous Early Triassic ichthyosaur find. Earlier, higher estimates of 11 m were based on taxonomically and stratigraphically inconclusive material but do not appear unreasonable based on evidence provided in this paper. Our study underscores both the rapid ecosystem recovery after a major mass extinction and extremely rapid increases in body size in ichthyosaurs after their adaptation to a secondarily aquatic lifestyle.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 regulates extracellular matrix composition and mediates load-induced intervertebral disc degeneration in a mouse model

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 regulates extracellular matrix composition and mediates load-induced intervertebral disc degeneration in a mouse model

A new elasmosaurid (Plesiosauria: Sauropterygia) from the López de Bertodano Formation: new data on the evolution of the aristonectine morphology

A new elasmosaurid Marambionectes molinai gen. et sp. nov. from the upper Maastrichtian levels of the López de Bertodano Formation is here described. The new taxon is characterized by one autapomorphy: 48 cervical vertebrae with lateral keels in cervicals 5 to 29. The following combination of features also differentiates Marambionectes molinai gen. et sp. nov. from other elasmosaurids: three symphyseal alveoli, symphyseal angle of c. 100°, wide symphyseal sulcus, high and triangular coronoid process, retroarticular process horizontally oriented, circular atlantal cup, low and rounded hypapophyseal keel on atlas-axis complex, cervical centra longer than high (middle cervical with vertebral length index c. 97) and caudal centra without strongly laterally projected parapophyses. The phylogenetic analysis recovers M. molinai gen. et sp. nov. within the Weddellonectia and as a sister group of aristonectines, indicating that the process of decreasing cervical vertebrae numbers, wide symphyseal sulcus and atlas-axis complex with circular atlantal cup and low and rounded hypapophyseal keel started previous to the appearance of aristonectines. In this sense, we suggest that some of the skeletal characteristics of aristonectines were acquired through a process that began in non-aristonectine elasmosaurids, before the appearance of this clade. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:693E0AAA-D03A-42E7-B454-BBA4D481649A

Deep-learning reconstructed lumbar spine 3D MRI for surgical planning: pedicle screw placement and geometric measurements compared to CT.

To test equivalency of deep-learning 3D lumbar spine MRI with "CT-like" contrast to CT for virtual pedicle screw planning and geometric measurements in robotic-navigated spinal surgery. Between December 2021 and June 2022, 16 patients referred for spinal fusion and decompression surgery with pre-operative CT and 3D MRI were retrospectively assessed. Pedicle screws were virtually placed on lumbar (L1-L5) and sacral (S1) vertebrae by three spine surgeons, and metrics (lateral deviation, axial/sagittal angles) were collected. Vertebral body length/width (VL/VW) and pedicle height/width (PH/PW) were measured at L1-L5 by three radiologists. Analysis included equivalency testing using the 95% confidence interval (CI), a margin of ± 1mm (± 2.08° for angles), and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Across all vertebral levels, both combined and separately, equivalency between CT and MRI was proven for all pedicle screw metrics and geometric measurements, except for VL at L1 (mean difference: - 0.64mm; [95%CI - 1.05, - 0.24]), L2 (- 0.65mm; [95%CI - 1.11, - 0.20]),and L4 (- 0.78mm; [95%CI - 1.11, - 0.46]). Inter- and intra-rater ICC for screw metrics across all vertebral levels combined ranged from 0.68 to 0.91 and 0.89-0.98 for CT, and from 0.62 to 0.92 and 0.81-0.97 for MRI, respectively. Inter- and intra-rater ICC for geometric measurements ranged from 0.60 to 0.95 and 0.84-0.97 for CT, and 0.61-0.95 and 0.93-0.98 for MRI, respectively. Deep-learning 3D MRI facilitates equivalent virtual pedicle screw placements and geometric assessments for most lumbar vertebrae, with the exception of vertebral body length at L1, L2, and L4, compared to CT for pre-operative planning in patients considered for robotic-navigated spine surgery.

The identification of an optimal body size parameter to adjust skeletal muscle area on chest CT in COVID-19 patients.

The most efficient way to adjust skeletal muscle area (SMA) derived from chest CT to body size remains unclear. We hypothesized that vertebral body area (VBA) measurement would allow such efficient adjustment. We conducted a retrospective observational study of chest CT imaging in a cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients. We measured paravertebral SMA at T5 level and T5 vertebral body anteroposterior length, width, and area. We used linear regression and multivariable modelling to assess the association of VBA with SMA. In 48 COVID-19 patients in ICU, T5 VBA could be easily derived from simple width and anteroposterior length linear measurements. T5 VBA (measured manually or estimated from width and length) performed similarly to height (R2 of 0.22) as an adjustment variable for SMA, with R2 of 0.23 and 0.22, respectively. Gender had the strongest correlation with SMA (R2 = 0.28). Adding height or age to a model using gender and VBA did not improve correlation. Gender and estimated VBA from simple linear measurements at T5 level on CT images can be utilized for adjustment of SMA without the need for height. Validation of these findings in larger cohorts of critically ill patients is now needed.

The effect of the size of pedicle screw on the long-term radiological and clinical results of short-segment posterior instrumentation in the management of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures.

It was aimed at evaluating the effect of the size of the pedicle screw placed on the fractured vertebra on the long-term radiological and clinical results of short-segment posterior instrumentation applied in the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures. This retrospective study included 36 patients who underwent short-segment posterior instrumentation surgery for a single-level thoracolumbar (T11-L2) fracture between January 2015 and March 2021. The patients included in the study were divided into 2 groups according to the size of the pedicle screw placed in the fractured vertebra (group A: intermediate screw 4.5 mm, ≤35 mm+less than 50% of the vertebral corpus length, m/f: 13/4, n: 17, age: 36.5; group B: intermediate screw 5.5 mm, ≥40 mm+more than 70% of the vertebral corpus length, m/f: 11/8, n: 19, age: 42.6). All patients were periodically evaluated clinically and radiologically. Vertebral compression angle (VCA), anterior and posterior vertebral body height (ABH-PBH), intraoperative parameters (instrumentation time and intraoperative fluoroscopy number), and complications were compared between the 2 groups. Both groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, level of injury, AO classification, mechanism of injury, and American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment scale. Restoration of VCA and vertebral corpus heights was achieved sufficiently in both groups after operation (P < .0001). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of early postoperative VCA, VCA measured at final follow-up, or loss of correction in VCA. At the last follow-up, PBH was statistically significantly better preserved in group B (P=.0424). There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of operation time and the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies. Implant failure was observed in 1 patient in group A. This study has revealed that using a long, thick pedicle screw placed in the fractured vertebra can better preserve the PBH at the final follow-up. No correlation was found between the size of the intermediate screw and the preservation of the correction in the postoperative vertebral heights and VCA during the follow-up. Level III, Therapeutic Study.

Advancements in Genetic Marker Exploration for Livestock Vertebral Traits with a Focus on China.

In livestock breeding, the number of vertebrae has gained significant attention due to its impact on carcass quality and quantity. Variations in vertebral traits have been observed across different animal species and breeds, with a strong correlation to growth and meat production. Furthermore, vertebral traits are classified as quantitative characteristics. Molecular marker techniques, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS), have emerged as efficient tools to identify genetic markers associated with vertebral traits. In the current review, we highlight some key potential genes and their polymorphisms that play pivotal roles in controlling vertebral traits (development, length, and number) in various livestock species, including pigs, donkeys, and sheep. Specific genetic variants within these genes have been linked to vertebral development, number, and length, offering valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms governing vertebral traits. This knowledge has significant implications for selective breeding strategies to enhance structural characteristics and meat quantity and quality in livestock, ultimately improving the efficiency and quality of the animal husbandry industry.

How Elongated? The Pattern of Elongation of Cervical Centra of Elasmosaurus platyurus with Comments on Cervical Elongation Patterns among Plesiosauromorphs

Elasmosaurids comprise some of the most extreme morphotypes of plesiosaurs. Thus, the study of their neck and vertebrae elongation patterns plays a crucial role in understanding the anatomy of elasmosaurids. In this study, the taphonomic distortion of the holotype of Elasmosaurus platyurus and its effects on the vertebral length index (VLI) values are evaluated, and a new index to describe the neck is proposed (MAVLI = mean value of the vertebral elongation index of the anterior two-thirds of neck vertebrae). The results provide a strong foundation for a new scheme of neck elongation patterns that divide the diversity of the neck elongation of plesiosauriomorphs into three categories: not-elongate (MAVLI &lt; 95 and Max VLI &lt; 100), elongate (125 &gt; MAVLI &gt; 95 and 100 &lt; Max VLI &lt; 135), and extremely elongated (MAVLI &gt; 125 and Max VLI &gt; 135).

P383 Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis associated with Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel disease: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study from the Paediatric IBD Porto Group of ESPGHAN

Abstract Background Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare, autoinflammatory bone disorder. CRMO was linked with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), either as an extra intestinal manifestation or as a paradoxical effect of anti-TNFa therapy. Our goal was to define the clinical features and natural history of patients carrying a dual diagnosis of CRMO and IBD Methods Medical records of pediatric patients with a dual diagnosis of IBD and CRMO were reviewed in nineteen centers from the Paediatric IBD Porto Group of ESPGHAN. Collected data included demographic characteristics, disease features, laboratory studies, bone imaging findings and outcomes of each disease Results Forty five patients (21 [47%] females) with a diagnosis of CRMO and IBD (32 [71%] with Crohn’s disease) were included. Median age at the time of dual diagnosis was was 10.2 (IQR 12-13.5) years. Patients were divided into 3 groups, based on whether CRMO developed before, during or after IBD diagnosis. In 15 patients (33%), CRMO was diagnosed ±3 months from the time of IBD diagnosis, with 8 (53%) and 2 (13%) exhibiting mild and moderate-severe IBD activity, respectively. In 20 children (44%) IBD preceded CRMO diagnosis by &amp;gt;3 months with a median time of 238 (85-344) weeks. At the time of dual diagnosis, 12 (60%) patients were in IBD remission and 5 (25%) exhibited moderate-severe disease activity; however, CRP and ESR were elevated (1.5 [0.4-3.4] mg/dL and 35 [21-55] mm/h, respectively) while median fecal calprotectin was 567 (68-1800) mcg/gr, including 4 patients &amp;lt;100 mcg/gr. 17 patients (85%) were on anti-TNFa medication at the time CRMO developed. In 10 (22%) patients CRMO preceded the diagnosis of IBD (&amp;gt;3 months before IBD evolution) with a median time 46 (25-248) weeks. At time of IBD presentation, CRMO was in remission in 5 patients (50%). 4 patients were diagnosed with IBD, despite the lack of any abnormal gastro-intestinal symptoms. In patients in which CRMO was diagnosed after or during IBD diagnosis, different therapeutic regimens were used, including anti-TNFa agents, methotrexate, ustekinumab, NSAID’s and corticosteroids. Two patients also received bisphosphonates. In patients in which CRMO was diagnosed after or during IBD diagnosis, CRMO remission, defined as lack of bone pain, was achieved in 22.2 (15-51.8) weeks. CRMO complications occurred in 4 patients and included vertebral collapse, length discrepancy, bone fracture and bone deformity Conclusion In the largest cohort to date, CRMO presentation was not necessarily related to clinically active intestinal inflammation and could present before, during or after IBD diagnosis. CRMO remission was achieved in all patients; Nevertheless, a small number of patients developed significant bone complications

The Osteoblast Transcriptome in Developing Zebrafish Reveals Key Roles for Extracellular Matrix Proteins Col10a1a and Fbln1 in Skeletal Development and Homeostasis.

Zebrafish are now widely used to study skeletal development and bone-related diseases. To that end, understanding osteoblast differentiation and function, the expression of essential transcription factors, signaling molecules, and extracellular matrix proteins is crucial. We isolated Sp7-expressing osteoblasts from 4-day-old larvae using a fluorescent reporter. We identified two distinct subpopulations and characterized their specific transcriptome as well as their structural, regulatory, and signaling profile. Based on their differential expression in these subpopulations, we generated mutants for the extracellular matrix protein genes col10a1a and fbln1 to study their functions. The col10a1a-/- mutant larvae display reduced chondrocranium size and decreased bone mineralization, while in adults a reduced vertebral thickness and tissue mineral density, and fusion of the caudal fin vertebrae were observed. In contrast, fbln1-/- mutants showed an increased mineralization of cranial elements and a reduced ceratohyal angle in larvae, while in adults a significantly increased vertebral centra thickness, length, volume, surface area, and tissue mineral density was observed. In addition, absence of the opercle specifically on the right side was observed. Transcriptomic analysis reveals up-regulation of genes involved in collagen biosynthesis and down-regulation of Fgf8 signaling in fbln1-/- mutants. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of bone extracellular matrix protein genes col10a1a and fbln1 in skeletal development and homeostasis.

Lumbar level distribution of acute abdomen with no history of abdominal surgery or trauma: Is there an aggregation?

Objective: In the majority of the population, the anatomic location of intra-abdominal structures varies slightly but is at certain vertebral levels, excluding postoperative and traumatic positional changes. Our aim was to investigate the distribution of pathologic findings at each lumbar level in acute abdomen patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients admitted to the emergency department between May 2017 and 2019 without abdominal trauma or surgery. CT images by vertebral length were assessed by two radiologists. Primary and secondary findings for each condition were examined for each lumbar level. Results: In 553/1008 patients (54.8%), CT had findings explaining the cause of pain. However, in 48/553 (8.67%), no primary or secondary findings were found in any lumbar level, and most (n=42) were gynecologic, while three had appendicitis and three had sigmoid diverticulitis. The distribution of primary and secondary findings is as follows: 19.16% (n=106) and 19.34% (n=107) for L1, 28.57% (n=158) and 21.33% (n=118) for L2, 16.09% (n=89) and 27.84% (n=154) for L3, 22.78% (n=126) and 27.48% (n=152) for L4, and 31.64% (n=175) and 18.26% (n=101) for L5, respectively. There were no patients with primary or secondary findings at any lumbar level, who did not also have findings at L1, L2, and L5. The CT assessment of L1, L2, and L5 yielded 91.32% (88.66-93.53%CI) sensitivity, 90.46% NPV (87.85-92.55%CI), and 95.24% (93.74-96.47%CI) accuracy. Conclusion: Due to the specific anatomic location of the organs, acute abdomen findings in patients without trauma or surgical changes tend to cluster at certain lumbar levels.

Temporal tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy resolution is affected by initial severity and poorly correlated to serologic antibody testing in dogs with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.

To determine associations between antibody serologic tests and tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy (TBL) in dogs with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis and identify variables associated with time to resolution of TBL. 32 client owned dogs with newly diagnosed pulmonary coccidioidomycosis from October 2020 to February 2021. Prospective cohort study. Thoracic radiographs and anti-Coccidioides spp antibody serology were performed at baseline and once every 3 months until remission or for a maximum of 12 months. Radiographic tracheobronchial lymph node height, length, and area were measured and recorded as ratios via comparison with the length of the T4 vertebral body (LT4) and length of the manubrium. Severity of TBL was also subjectively categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy was identified in 81% (26/32; 95% CI, 64% to 93%) of dogs. There was no relevant association between TBL presence or severity and antibody serology results. Tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy resolved in 72% (n = 18) of dogs at the 3-month evaluation. The median time to resolution of TBL after initiation of fluconazole was 96 days (range, 72 to 386 days). Univariate analysis identified increasing TBL severity (hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.84; P = .02) and length:LT4 ratio (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.82; P = .01) as variables associated with reduced probability of resolution of TBL. Antibody serologic test results are not clinically useful to predict TBL presence or severity in dogs with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, and larger tracheobronchial lymph nodes are more likely to take longer to resolve. Resolution of TBL occurs in most dogs within 3 to 6 months after fluconazole administration.

Computed tomographic measures of renomegaly vary among dogs with different types of congenital portosystemic shunts.

Renomegaly has been reported in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (PSS). However, no study has objectively evaluated the degree of renomegaly in dogs with different types of PSS. The purpose of this retrospective, analytical, cross-sectional study was to determine kidney size (renal length-to-L2 vertebral body ratio; RL/L2 ratio) using CT in dogs with different types of PSS and correlate with clinical information. A medical record search for dogs with a PSS diagnosed using CT between 2016 and 2020 was conducted. Breed, age, sex, body weight, and biochemistry results were recorded. Kidney and L2 vertebral body lengths were measured using multiplanar reformatted CT images, and the RL/L2 ratio was calculated. Dogs were categorized into four groups based on PSS morphology for comparisons: intrahepatic (IH; n=19), extrahepatic portocaval (EHPC; n=20), extrahepatic portoazygos (EHPA; n=7), or extrahepatic portophrenic (EHPP, n=7). The RL/L2 ratio (mean±SD) was largest in IH (3.55±0.38) and EHPC (3.55±0.38), followed by EHPP (3.10±0.23), and EHPA (2.78±0.18). RL/L2 ratio was significantly larger in EHPC and IH (vs. EHPA and EHPP [P<.01]). Significant correlations between kidney size and creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, total protein, and ammonia were present. Renomegaly was observed in 86.8% of dogs with PSS overall, but it was uncommon in dogs with EHPA and less common in dogs with EHPP, as these two groups showed clinical signs later in life, made evident by older age at presentation. The authors suggest that the severity of hepatic dysfunction and the shunted blood volume may influence the development of renomegaly in dogs with PSS.

Video telescope operating monitor-assisted surgery is equivalent to conventional surgery in treatment of cervical intervertebral disc herniation in dogs.

To compare the use of the video telescope operating monitor (VITOM) and use of a conventional unassisted surgical method for treatment of cervical intervertebral disc herniation in dogs. 39 dogs with cervical intervertebral disc disease. Prospective study. Dogs were prospectively nonrandomly assigned to either the VITOM (n = 19) or conventional surgery (20) group depending on VITOM system availability. Signalment and preoperative neurologic status were recorded for all dogs. Preoperative and postoperative CT myelography was performed to compare intervertebral space location, spinal cord dimensions at the decompression level, ventral slot dimensions, and residual disc material. Surgical complications and postoperative neurologic outcomes were recorded. Data were compared between the 2 groups using fixed-effects or mixed-effects models to consider double reading of CT myelography images. No significant differences were noted between the 2 groups regarding the decompression ratio (P = .85), vertebral length body ratio (P = .13), ventral slot width ratio (P = .39), residual disc material (P = .30), and sinus bleeding (P = .12). No significant differences were found between the 2 groups regarding postoperative neurologic grade (P = .17). VITOM-assisted ventral slot decompression is equivalent to conventional surgery in treatment of cervical intervertebral disc herniation in dogs. The use of VITOM remains a good alternative to the conventional surgical method.