Tom Cornelius Cyriacks, Martin J Schmidt, Eberhard Ludewig, Johannes Boltze, Robert Dahnke, Simone A Fietz, Björn Nitzsche
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: Ventriculomegaly and hydrocephalus are frequently found during routine clinical imaging, and hydrocephalus in dogs has been shown to alter brain tissue. Although approaches exist to differentiate canine hydrocephalus from ventriculomegaly, information about brain tissue alterations in dogs with ventriculomegaly is lacking. In this observational study, we focused on ventriculomegaly and examined the cerebral anatomical adaptations that accommodate the increased ventricular volume.
Methods: 95 neuroradiological normal diagnosed dogs of different breeds were divided into the two groups, ventriculomegaly and control, according to morphological criteria and ventricle-brain-indices as determined by ratio of brain and lateral ventricle wide. Brain volumetry and voxel-based-morphometry (VBM) were conducted using automatic procedures employing the Statistical Parametric Mapping software and a canine brain atlas.
Results: Significant alterations in cingulate cortex, caudate nucleus, thalamus, hippocampus, geniculate body as well as corpus callosum were observed in dogs of the ventriculomegaly group by both volumetry and VBM. Interestingly, ventriculomegaly affected only lateral ventricles, the 3rd ventricle, and the mesencephalic aqueduct but not the 4th ventricle.
Discussion: A clear distinction between canine hydrocephalus and ventriculomegaly remains difficult and recent research suggests parallels between both. Advances in automated segmentation methods and voxel-based morphometry applicable to canine magnetic resonance imaging offer the opportunity to comprehensively assess structural abnormalities. In addition, clinical assessments are required to investigate the impact of ventriculomegaly on cognitive function and behavior in further studies.
Conclusion: We propose the use of a lower ventricle-brain-index threshold of ≥ 0.5 to include all ventricle-associated tissue alterations with potential clinical manifestation.
期刊介绍：
"Fluids and Barriers of the CNS" is a scholarly open access journal that specializes in the intricate world of the central nervous system's fluids and barriers, which are pivotal for the health and well-being of the human body. This journal is a peer-reviewed platform that welcomes research manuscripts exploring the full spectrum of CNS fluids and barriers, with a particular focus on their roles in both health and disease.
At the heart of this journal's interest is the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a vital fluid that circulates within the brain and spinal cord, playing a multifaceted role in the normal functioning of the brain and in various neurological conditions. The journal delves into the composition, circulation, and absorption of CSF, as well as its relationship with the parenchymal interstitial fluid and the neurovascular unit at the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
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