Abstract

Introduction Tarsal malformation is a skeletal malformation of unknown aetiology associated with a variety of morphologic changes to the tarsal and metatarsal bones of the dog.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine if early diagnosis and prevalence of tarsal malformation could be obtained at approximately 8 to 9 weeks of age in multiple litters of Bernese Mountain dogs.

Methods A prospective study of 51 Bernese Mountain dog puppies were evaluated from 12 litters in northern Italy. Dorsoplantar radiographic views of the tarsus were obtained at 60 ± 5 days of age. Tarsal malformation was defined as an abnormal extension of the central tarsal bone on its medial side, or the presence of ectopic bone located medially to the central tarsal bone, talus and second metatarsal bones (proximomedial, distomedial and metatarsal ossification sites respectively).

Results All puppies were found to be clinically normal. Thirty-nine of the 51 puppies showed ossification sites medial to the tarsus as defined. A metatarsal ossification was present in all dogs with either a proximo- or distomedial ossification site. No central tarsal bone extensions were observed. The remainder of the tarsometatarsal joints were normal.

Clinical Significance Tarsal malformation can be identified in the 8- to 9-week-old Bernese Mountain dog. The clinical significance of tarsal malformation remains to be determined, either as an incidental finding or a precursor to the development of other clinically relevant and related issues in the tarsus.

Authors' Contributions

Massimo Petazzoni and Carlo M. Mortellaro contributed to conception of study, study design, acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. Francesca Briotti and Randy J. Boudrieau contributed to acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. All authors drafted, revised and approved the submitted manuscript.

中文翻译：

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8 至 9 周龄伯恩山犬跗骨畸形的放射线识别。

 抽象的

简介跗骨畸形是一种病因不明的骨骼畸形，与狗跗骨和跖骨的各种形态变化有关。

目的本研究的目的是确定是否可以在多窝伯恩山犬约 8 至 9 周龄时获得跗骨畸形的早期诊断和患病率。

方法对意大利北部 12 窝 51 只伯恩山犬幼犬进行前瞻性研究。在 60 ± 5 日龄时获得跗骨背跖 X 线照片。跗骨畸形定义为中央跗骨内侧异常延伸，或中央跗骨、距骨和第二跖骨（分别为近内侧、远内侧和跖骨骨化位点）内侧存在异位骨。

结果发现所有小狗的临床表现均正常。 51 只小狗中的 39 只显示出跗骨内侧的骨化部位（如定义）。所有具有近端或远内侧骨化部位的狗都存在跖骨骨化。没有观察到中央跗骨延伸。其余跗跖关节正常。

临床意义8 至 9 周大的伯恩山犬可发现跗骨畸形。跗骨畸形的临床意义仍有待确定，无论是作为偶然发现还是跗骨中其他临床相关和相关问题发展的先兆。

 作者的贡献

Massimo Petazzoni 和 Carlo M. Mortellaro 对研究构思、研究设计、数据获取以及数据分析和解释做出了贡献。 Francesca Briotti 和 Randy J. Boudrieau 为数据采集以及数据分析和解释做出了贡献。所有作者起草、修改并批准了提交的手稿。