RodRussell
Well-known member
In MRI studies of 49 cavaliers, Dr. Clare Rusbridge and others found that "Syrinx formation was present in the C1–C4 region and in other parts of the spinal cord. The maximal dorsoventral syrinx size can occur in any region of the spinal cord." Seventy-six per cent of CKCS with a cranial cervical syrinx also had a syrinx in more caudal spinal cord regions.
They concluded that, an "MRI restricted to the cervical region may underestimate the extent of SM and the severity of the disease process in the majority of dogs." Therefore, so-called "mini-MRI-scans" of only the cervical region, such as those scans for breeding protocol purposes, may not necessarily locate all syrinx which an SM-affected cavalier may have. They also found that total syrinx size positively correlated with the age of the dog.
See BREAKING NEWS at http://cavalierhealth.org for more details.
They concluded that, an "MRI restricted to the cervical region may underestimate the extent of SM and the severity of the disease process in the majority of dogs." Therefore, so-called "mini-MRI-scans" of only the cervical region, such as those scans for breeding protocol purposes, may not necessarily locate all syrinx which an SM-affected cavalier may have. They also found that total syrinx size positively correlated with the age of the dog.
See BREAKING NEWS at http://cavalierhealth.org for more details.