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MRI features of presumed normal palatine tonsils in dogs
M Ruiz-Drebing1, R Dennis1, A Sparkes2
1Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, CB8 7UU, UK.
Objective:
To describe the MRI characteristics of normal palatine tonsils in dogs.
Materials And Methods:
Retrospective study of 95 dogs with presumed normal tonsils. Tonsillar margination, shape and signal intensity in pre- and postcontrast studies were assessed and the cross-sectional area was measured at the point of maximal size on transverse images.
Results:
In all cases the tonsils were located with their largest transverse cross-section at the level of the temporomandibular joints. Their margins were well-defined in all dogs; in 57 (60%) the borders were smooth and in 38 (40%) slightly irregular. The majority (96%) of the tonsils were rounded to oval in cross-section and the remainder were elongated. All tonsils were hyperintense to the medial pterygoid muscles in T1-weighted, T2-weighted, FLAIR and T2* gradient echo images and they showed either homogeneous (53%) or heterogeneous (47%) signal intensity. Contrast enhancement was marked (65%) or moderate (33%) in the majority of animals. Median tonsillar cross-sectional area was approximately 29 mm2 (90% confidence interval: 10.0 to 64.4 mm2 ). There was significant positive correlation between bodyweight and tonsillar cross-sectional area and a weak negative correlation between age and tonsillar cross-sectional area.
Clinical Significance:
MRI is of value in assessing normal palatine tonsils in dogs. This study could be used as a baseline for the investigation of the value of MRI in assessment of tonsillar disease in dogs.
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