The Need for Head Space: Brachycephaly and Cerebrospinal Fluid Disorders

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Comparative Physiology
• Animal Morphology

Background:

• Brachycephalic dog breeds are popular despite known health risks.
• These risks include airway compromise, ocular, and neurological disorders.
• Increasing evidence links brachycephaly to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) movement disruption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) physiology.
• To examine how brachycephaly, airorhynchy, and craniosynostosis impact CSF dynamics.
• To highlight associated neurological conditions in brachycephalic dogs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on CSF physiology.
• Analysis of studies linking head conformation to neurological disease.
• Examination of the effects of brachycephaly, airorhynchy, and craniosynostosis on CSF.

Main Results:

• Brachycephaly disrupts normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) movement and absorption.
• This disruption predisposes dogs to ventriculomegaly, hydrocephalus, and Chiari-like malformation.
• Associated conditions include quadrigeminal cistern expansion and syringomyelia.

Conclusions:

• Brachycephalic head conformation significantly impacts canine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) physiology.
• Understanding these impacts is crucial for addressing neurological disorders in these breeds.
• Further research is needed to mitigate health issues associated with brachycephaly.