- Veterinary View Box
- Posts
- Prognosis associated with MRI findings of MUE in dogs
Rita Gonçalves, Steven De Decker, Gemma Walmsley, Thomas W. Maddox
Background:
Canine meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is a group of autoimmune diseases affecting the central nervous system, characterized by high mortality rates despite treatment. The study aims to assess the prognostic value of MRI findings in predicting survival at 12 months and the likelihood of disease relapse.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving 138 dogs diagnosed with MUO based on clinical and MRI criteria. The study utilized multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards analysis to evaluate the prognostic significance of various MRI variables.
Results:
The MRI analysis identified that the most common lesion locations were the white matter tracts of the corona radiata and corpus callosum, followed by the frontal sensorimotor and temporal cortices. Lower T2 lesion load was significantly associated with longer survival (p = 0.006), while higher T1 post-contrast lesion load correlated with an increased risk of relapse (p = 0.023). Additionally, a higher neurodisability scale (NDS) score was linked to higher T2, FLAIR, and T1 lesion loads.
Limitations:
The study's retrospective nature and lack of standardized treatment protocols are potential limitations. Additionally, the calculation of lesion load as a percentage of brain volume might not fully account for individual variations in brain size due to breed differences or pathological conditions.
Conclusions:
MRI variables, particularly T2 lesion load and T1 post-contrast lesion load, serve as significant prognostic factors for survival and relapse in dogs with MUO. These findings can help identify dogs at higher risk and potentially guide more tailored treatment strategies. Further research, including prospective studies and standardized treatment protocols, is needed to refine these prognostic models.
3D models of the brain of dogs based on manual segmentation of the MRI images. (A) 6 month old Basset Hound with 3.3% T2 lesion load. (B) 8 month old pug with 7.9% T2 lesion load. (C) 4 year old pug with 28.4% T2 lesion load.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of 138 dogs diagnosed with meningoencephalitis (MUO) of unknown origin.
How did we do? |
Disclaimer: The summary generated in this email was created by an AI large language model. Therefore errors may occur. Reading the article is the best way to understand the scholarly work. The figure presented here remains the property of the publisher or author and subject to the applicable copyright agreement. It is reproduced here as an educational work. If you have any questions or concerns about the work presented here, reply to this email.