Sequential Canine Neonatal Spinal Ultrasonography
from Birth till Spinal Ossification
Mohammed S Amer, Elham A Hassan*, Faisal A Torad,
Ashraf A Shamaa and Elsayed A Elsherpieny1
Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and
Radiology,Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; 1Department
of Mathematical Statistics, Institute of Statistical Studies and
Research, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt;
*Corresponding author: elhamhassan@cu.edu.eg
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to report the
normal ultrasonographic appearance and spinal cord sagittal diameter of canine
neonates. Longitudinal and transverse scans were done on 11 clinically normal
canine neonates were performed at 3, 10, 20 and 30 days of age, using 8-10 MHz
linear transducer. Measurement of the spinal cord sagittal diameter was recorded
at different spinal segments. The spinal cord was recognized as an anechoic to
hypoechoic tubular structure within the spinal canal, the three meningeal layers
enclosing the cord were identified as hyperechoic dura and pia matters with the
anechoic subarachnoid matter in between the two.
The spinal cord sagittal diameter at the cervical and
lumbar regions was greater than that of the thoracic region, and the cord was
tapered at the mid-lumbar region forming the conus medullaris. It was difficult to visualize the spinal cord after 30
days of age. In conclusion, ultrasonographic
imaging of the canine neonatal spinal cord varies with age till 30 days old.