Spinal Surprise: Cervicothoracic Endplate Defects Rare but Real in Dogs

Computed Tomography Prevalence of Cervicothoracic Endplate Junction Alterations in Dogs

Carles Planas Padrós, Anna R. Tellegen, Henk van den Broek, Stefanie Veraa

Background:
Intervertebral disc degeneration and herniation in dogs have traditionally been attributed to annulus fibrosus failure. However, endplate junction failure (EPJF) has been proposed as an alternative mechanism. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and types of endplate junction alterations (EPJA) at the cervicothoracic spine (C6–T2) in dogs using computed tomography (CT), with classification based on a recently proposed grading system.

Methods:
This retrospective, cross-sectional study reviewed CT scans of 315 client-owned dogs performed between 2020 and 2022, covering the cervicothoracic spine. Endplate alterations were categorized into Types A–D based on CT appearance. Associated vertebral abnormalities, such as disc herniation, mineralization, sclerosis, spondylosis deformans, and articular process joint osteoarthrosis, were also evaluated. Statistical analyses examined correlations between EPJA presence and variables including age, breed, sex, weight, and concurrent spinal changes.

Results:
Of 945 intervertebral disc spaces reviewed, EPJA was identified in only 11 spaces (1.16%) across 10 dogs (3.2%). Most EPJA were Type A (minor contour irregularities), followed by single cases of Type B (rim avulsion) and Type C (fragment avulsion). No Type D lesions were found. Lesions were evenly distributed between dorsal and ventral aspects of the endplates, primarily affecting C6–C7 and C7–T1. All EPJA cases showed concurrent endplate sclerosis, and many also had spondylosis deformans or disc mineralization. No significant correlations were found with age, sex, or weight, although purebred and non-chondrodystrophic dogs were more frequently affected. Only one EPJA case was associated with an overt disc herniation.

Limitations:
The retrospective design and reliance on CT alone without histopathology limit definitive diagnosis. The study had a low number of EPJA cases and included many young dogs undergoing CT for screening purposes, possibly skewing prevalence estimates. Selection and observer bias cannot be excluded due to partial blinding of the reviewer.

Conclusions:
EPJA at the cervicothoracic junction are rare findings in dogs, observed in just over 1% of evaluated disc spaces. They are consistently associated with other signs of vertebral degeneration but rarely with clinical disc herniation. These lesions may represent early or subtle structural failures within the intervertebral disc-endplate complex, but further research is necessary to determine their clinical significance.

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.