Lumbosacral foraminal ratios and areas using MRI in medium-sized dogs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary diagnostic imaging
• Canine anatomy
• Orthopedic surgery

Background:

• Lumbosacral foraminal stenosis is prevalent in working dogs.
• Objective measurements are needed for evaluating surgical outcomes.
• Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) planes are utilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish objective measurements of foraminal size in medium-sized dogs using MRI.
• To assess the relationship between foraminal dimensions and body weight.
• To evaluate the impact of spinal positioning on foraminal measurements.

Main Methods:

• Ten canine cadavers (20-28 kg) underwent MRI in neutral, flexed, and extended positions.
• Foraminal ratios and areas were calculated.
• Lumbosacral angles were measured, and relationships to body weight were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Foraminal ratios were independent of body weight (p >0.42).
• Foraminal areas were dependent on body weight (p <0.05).
• Spinal flexion and extension significantly altered both foraminal ratios and areas.

Conclusions:

• Foraminal ratios provide an objective metric, potentially useful for pre- and post-surgical assessment of decompression techniques in dogs.
• Foraminal areas are influenced by body weight.
• Spinal mobility affects lumbosacral foraminal dimensions.