How common are SI joint lesions in dogs?

VRU 63(6) 739-748

May 31, 2023

Study: The study is a retrospective, observational study that aimed to describe and quantify CT and MRI SIJ findings in a sample of large breed dogs and test associations between the numbers of SIJ findings and other variables.

Methods: Data archives for a veterinary teaching hospital were searched for large breed dogs (≥ 22.7 kg) that had CT or MRI scans of the LS and pelvic regions in 2015–2019. Dogs with a history of acute trauma or scans with incomplete SIJs were excluded. A veterinary student recorded medical record findings. A veterinary radiologist and graduate student recorded CT and MRI findings based on previously published criteria in dogs and humans.

Results: Fifty-three dogs were sampled (20 CT, 33 MRI). Categories of findings with the highest prevalence were subchondral erosion (100% CT, 100% MRI) and subchondral sclerosis (95% CT, 97% MRI). The total numbers of SIJ findings per dog were not associated with dog age, sex, weight, or concurrent findings in the LS or pelvic regions. The total number of MRI SIJ findings per dog differed between German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers (P = 0.0237) as well as between Labrador Retrievers and other breeds (P = 0.0414).

Conclusion: These results indicated that CT and MRI findings reported in humans with SIJ disease are common in large breed dogs. Preliminary evidence of a breed predisposition for SIJ disease in Labrador Retrievers was found.

A, Transverse bone window CT image from the same dog as Figure 1, illustrating examples of subchondral erosion (1), subchondral sclerosis (2), subarticular cleft (3), and intra-articular bone spur (4) findings (WW 350, WL 2700, 2 mm slice thickness, sharp algorithm, dorsal recumbency). B, Dorsal planar, zoomed CT image of the same dog, further illustrating the subchondral sclerosis finding in the right SIJ (WW 639, WL 1633, 2 mm slice thickness, sharp algorithm, dorsal recumbency)

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