A Retrospective Radiographic Study Regarding Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (Dish) in Dogs

Abstract

Abstract Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a systemic non-inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology affecting the axial and appendicular skeleton. The disease is characterised by calcification of soft tissues including tendons, joint capsules, and ligamentous attachments to bone. A retrospective radiographic study was conducted to investigate the presence and distribution of the DISH in dogs. For this goal were revised medical records from the radiology service of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Bucharest for dogs that had a radiographic report that described the presence of DISH at spine level. The signalments of all dogs were taken from their medical records. From 531 dogs of 19 breeds, 11 dogs (Cross breed = 3; Rottweiler = 3; Boxer = 2; Golden retriever = 2; German shepherd = 1) were diagnosed with DISH, representing 2.07%. Of these, 5 were females and 6 males, aged between 6 and 15 years (an average of 9.81 years). Following the radiographic evaluation, a total of 74 vertebral segments affected by DISH were identified, and the number of vertebral segments affected per dogs varied between 4 and 10. In all cases, the DISH was accompanied by spondylosis deformans. Although the presence of flowing calcification in the ventral aspects of adjacent vertebral bodies is conclusive for classification as DISH, however it is recommended obtaining supplementation data through modern imaging exams on the vertebral structures.