Canine Chiari-like malformation

Chiari-like malformation (CM) is the most common cause of foramen magnum obstruction and syringomyelia in dogs. Syringomyelia (SM) is a disease of the spinal cord typified by fluid filled cavities, or syrinxes, within the spinal cord substance.[1] The disease is caused by the obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), in the nervous system. A situation of high pressure in the spinal cord compared to low pressure outside, leads to fluid accumulation, which eventually forms cavities.[2] CM is a condition characterized by the mismatch of size between the brain and the skull. The skull is too small causing part of the brain to descend out of the skull through the opening at its base, crowding the spinal cord.[3] The cause of CM is not yet fully understood. CM is rare in most breeds but reportedly has become very widespread in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Griffon Bruxellois (Brussels Griffon). Some researchers estimate that as many as 95% of CKCSs may have CM. It is worldwide in scope and not limited to any country, breeding line, or kennel, and experts report that it is believed to be inherited in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. CM is so widespread in the Cavalier that it may be an inherent part of the CKCS's breed standard.[4] This disease not only affects thousands of dogs, but a similar condition affects over three hundred thousand children yearly.[5] Therefore, canines are an appropriate model for the treatment of the human condition.[6]

Symptoms

The most obvious clinical sign of syringomyelia is pain. Dogs with CM alone do not seem to have signs, but some appear to have facial pain.[7] Common symptoms in human patients include, severe headache and neck pain, dizziness, vertigo, disequilibrium, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, difficulty swallowing, palpitations, sleep apnea, muscle weakness, impaired fine motor skills, chronic fatigue and painful tingling of the hands and feet, pruritus.[8]

Diagnosis/MRI Testing

The clinicians at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS) have made advances in the diagnosis and medical management of dogs with CM as well as other abnormalities of the craniocervical junction. Some of these advances include providing whole spine MR imaging to evaluate extent of syrinx formation (fluid filled cavity within the spinal cord) in CM dogs, developing a thermal camera-based screening test for the disorder and a method of measuring the actual syrinx volume from MR images.[9]

Before the introduction of MRI, the diagnosis of CM and SM were commonly confused with that of allergic skin disorders, disk disease, ear infections and epilepsy.[10] After CM was reported in human patients, the initial research was provided for the diagnosis of animals.[11] MRI in animals is safe, however, to ensure that the patient remains motionless, light general anesthesia is required.[12]

According to recent studies, thermography may be a useful tool in the diagnosis of CM and SM.[13] Thermography or Medical infrared imaging (MII) requires no sedation or clipping of hair for a dog to be imaged by the infrared camera. After the image is captured, computer software is used to assess changes in the temperature and color pattern to detect abnormality.[14]

Treatment

The type of treatment needed for dogs diagnosed with CM/SM depends on the severity of the condition and the age of the dog. Young dogs with clinical signs should be considered for surgical removal to minimize the progression of the disease as the dog ages. Older dogs with little or no clinical signs may be treated medically, rather than surgically. However, severe cases of CM/SM may require surgery regardless of age. The goal of surgery is syrynx decompression through restoration of normal cerebrospinal fluid circulation.[15]

Dr. Dominic Marino and Dr. Curtis Dewey (both board-certified surgeons) developed a procedure for the surgical treatment of CM in dogs, described as “foramen magnum decompression (FMD).[16] Despite an approximately 80% success rate with this surgical technique, there is a 25% to 50% relapse, primarily due to excessive scar tissue formation at the decompression site.[17] Subsequently they adapted a procedure used in people called cranioplasty, in which a plate, constructed using titanium mesh and bone cement is fixed to the back of the skull following a standard FMD procedure. The procedure had been effective in humans. The postoperative relapse rate associated with the titanium cranioplasty procedure is less than 7%.[18]

History

The name "Chiari-like" derives from one of the early scientists who diagnosed a similar structural condition in children, Dr. Hans Chiari.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/part1.htm#1
  2. ↑ http://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/part1.htm#1
  3. ↑ http://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/part1.htm#1
  4. ↑ http://www.cavalierhealth.org/syringomyelia.htm#IN_DEPTH:
  5. ↑ http://www.nyvf.org/index.php/research/current-studies/chiari-screening
  6. ↑ http://www.nyvf.org/index.php/research/current-studies/chiari-screening
  7. ↑ http://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/part1.htm#1
  8. ↑ http://www.chiariansunite.org/chiarimalformation.htm#342894460
  9. ↑ http://www.todaylongisland.com/CHIARI_ebook_120210.pdf
  10. ↑ http://www.caninechiariinstitute.org/patient-center/what-is-chiari/diagnosis
  11. ↑ http://www.caninechiariinstitute.org/patient-center/what-is-chiari/diagnosis
  12. ↑ http://www.caninechiariinstitute.org/patient-center/what-is-chiari/diagnosis
  13. ↑ http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2010.00677.x/abstract
  14. ↑ http://www.caninechiariinstitute.org/patient-center/what-is-chiari/diagnosis
  15. ↑ http://www.caninechiariinstitute.org/patient-center/what-is-chiari/treatment
  16. ↑ http://www.todaylongisland.com/CHIARI_ebook_120210.pdf
  17. ↑ http://www.todaylongisland.com/CHIARI_ebook_120210.pdf
  18. ↑ http://www.todaylongisland.com/CHIARI_ebook_120210.pdf

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