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Nasca classification of hemivertebra in five dogs
Omer Besalti1, Ahmet Ozak, Zeynep Pekcan
1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Dıskapi, Ankara, 06110, Turkey. besalti@hotmail.com.
Irish Veterinary Journal
|August 20, 2011
Summary
This study characterized hemivertebra in five dogs using the human Nasca classification system. Findings detailed various types and locations of spinal deformities in affected canine patients.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Comparative Medicine
- Canine Orthopedics
Background:
- Hemivertebra is a congenital vertebral malformation that can lead to spinal deformities in dogs.
- Accurate classification is essential for understanding the condition and guiding treatment.
- The Nasca classification system, used in human medicine, offers a standardized approach to characterizing vertebral anomalies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize hemivertebra in canine patients using the human Nasca classification system.
- To document the types and locations of hemivertebrae in a cohort of dogs.
- To assess the applicability of the Nasca classification in veterinary neurology.
Main Methods:
- Physical, radiological, and neurological examinations were performed on five dogs presenting with hemivertebra.
- Spinal deformities were classified according to the Nasca classification system.
- Detailed descriptions of vertebral anomalies were recorded for each case.
Main Results:
- Two dogs exhibited multiple, variously shaped hemivertebrae (Type 3) in the thoracic spine.
- One dog presented with a combination of a single hemivertebra (Type 1) and a wedge-shaped hemivertebra (Type 2b) in the lumbar region.
- Another dog had fused hemivertebrae (Type 4a) in the thoracic spine, and one dog had a cervical wedge-shaped hemivertebra (Type 2a).
Conclusions:
- The Nasca classification system can be effectively applied to characterize hemivertebra in dogs.
- This classification aids in standardizing the description of spinal deformities in canine patients.
- Further research can explore the clinical implications of different hemivertebra types in dogs.
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