Comparison between T2‐weighted two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional fast spin‐echo MRI sequences for characterizing thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease in small‐breed dogs

• Published in: Veterinary radiology & ultrasound 2022-03, Vol.63 (2), p.216-223
• Main Authors: Lee, Suhyeon, Hwang, Jeongyeon, Ko, Jaeeun, Jeong, Jeongyun, Eom, Kidong, Kim, Jaehwan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; canine; dog; Dog Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Dogs; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - veterinary; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration - diagnostic imaging; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration - veterinary; Intervertebral Disc Displacement; intervertebral disc herniation; magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - veterinary; myelopathy; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 1058-8183; 1740-8261
• DOI: 10.1111/vru.13049

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a standard test for diagnosis and treatment planning in dogs with degenerative thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). However, published studies evaluating three‐dimensional fast‐spin echo (3D‐FSE) pulse sequences for dogs with IVDD are currently limited. Aims of this retrospective, observational study were to compare findings from T2‐weighted two‐ and three‐dimensional fast spin‐echo sequences (2D‐ and 3D‐FSE, respectively) for a group of small breed dogs with thoracolumbar IVDD. Inclusion criteria were dogs with IVDD that underwent 1.5‐Tesla MRI using both 2D‐FSE and 3D‐FSE sequences. For each dog and sequence, five pathologic indices were recorded: epidural fat discontinuation, vertebral canal compromise, spinal cord signal change, disc degeneration, and nerve root compression. Two independent investigators also scored visibility of the facet joint, intervertebral foramen, nerve roots, spinal cord grey‐white matter differentiation, intervertebral discs, and epidural fat. The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to evaluate the between‐sequence differences in pathologic indices and visibility scores. Interobserver agreement was measured using Cohen's weighted kappa along with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 21 dogs were sampled. The 3D‐FSE sequences had higher pathologic indices of vertebral canal compromise (P = 0.020) and spinal cord signal change (P = 0.046) than 2D‐FSE sequences. Furthermore, 3D‐FSE sequences had higher visibility scores for the facet joint, intervertebral foramen, and nerve root structures (P