Computed tomographic features of exocrine pancreatic carcinomas in dogs and cats.

Exocrine pancreatic carcinomas are uncommon in dogs and cats, and diagnosis with diagnostic imaging can be challenging. This retrospective, multi-institutional, descriptive study was performed to evaluate the CT features of exocrine pancreatic carcinomas. The CT examinations of 18 dogs and 12 cats with exocrine pancreatic carcinomas diagnosed by cytology or histopathology were reviewed. The CT features of exocrine pancreatic carcinomas included a well-defined mass in 28/30 (93%) with contrast enhancement in 27/30 (90%), commonly heterogeneous 22/30 (73%); often with a nonenhancing fluid to soft tissue attenuating center 12/30 (40%). The right lobe of the pancreas was the most common location, 14/30 (47%), then the left lobe, 10/30 (33%), and the body, 6/30 (20%). Extrahepatic biliary duct dilation was present in six animals; 5/6 (83%) of the masses were located in the right pancreatic lobe. Additional findings included peripancreatic fat-stranding 17/30 (57%), lymphadenopathy 16/30 (57%), peripancreatic soft tissue nodules 12/30 (40%), and free fluid 10/30 (33%). When comparing the imaging features of dogs and cats, there was a large overlap in imaging characteristics. There was a significant difference between the height of the masses, with dogs having larger masses (P-value.0028). Lymphadenopathy was more likely in larger masses [increased height (P-value.029)]. Cats were significantly older than dogs (P-value.0355). Pancreatic carcinomas were commonly identified as masses with heterogeneous contrast enhancement and a nonenhancing fluid to soft tissue attenuating center with concurrent peripancreatic changes (fat-stranding and/or soft tissue nodules) and lymphadenopathy.

CT features of feline cystic bronchiectasis forming mass lesions.

Case series summary: Cystic bronchiectasis was diagnosed in three cats with known histories of chronic coughing using CT and histopathology. CT of the lungs revealed large space-occupying lesions that compressed and displaced unaffected pulmonary parenchyma and vessels. The masses were soft tissue attenuating in two cases and gas-cavitated with areas of dependent fluid in one case. All three cats were found to have mineral attenuating material in lesions and in other dilatated airways. Generalized bronchial wall thickening was also present and indicative of chronic lower airway disease. These findings were supported by histopathology showing inflammatory changes and dilatated airways in the collected tissues. In the two cases in which post-contrast CT series were acquired, the lesions had rim-enhancement. Relevance and novel information: Cystic bronchiectasis is a rare presentation of bronchiectasis in cats and may mimic a pulmonary mass lesion, which could be mistaken for neoplasia or abscessation. The lack of central enhancement or presence of gas cavitation on CT, concurrent presence of diffuse bronchial wall thickening, other areas of bronchiectasis and the presence of broncholithiasis may alert the clinician to the possibility of cystic bronchiectasis related to chronic lower airway disease.

Proteomics identifies novel biomarkers of synovial joint disease in a canine model of mucopolysaccharidosis I.

Mucopolysaccharidosis I is a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by deficient alpha-L-iduronidase activity, leading to abnormal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in cells and tissues. Synovial joint disease is prevalent and significantly reduces patient quality of life. There is a critical need for improved understanding of joint disease pathophysiology in MPS I, including specific biomarkers to predict and monitor joint disease progression, and response to treatment. The objective of this study was to leverage the naturally-occurring MPS I canine model and undertake an unbiased proteomic screen to identify systemic biomarkers predictive of local joint disease in MPS I. Synovial fluid and serum samples were collected from MPS I and healthy dogs at 12 months-of-age, and protein abundance characterized using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Stifle joints were evaluated postmortem using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology. Proteomics identified 40 proteins for which abundance was significantly correlated between serum and synovial fluid, including markers of inflammatory joint disease and lysosomal dysfunction. Elevated expression of three biomarker candidates, matrix metalloproteinase 19, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy-chain 3 and alpha-1-microglobulin, was confirmed in MPS I cartilage, and serum abundance of these molecules was found to correlate with MRI and histological degenerative grades. The candidate biomarkers identified have the potential to improve patient care by facilitating minimally-invasive, specific assessment of joint disease progression and response to therapeutic intervention.

Dose-dependent effects of enzyme replacement therapy on skeletal disease progression in mucopolysaccharidosis VII dogs.

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VII is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder characterized by deficient activity of the enzyme ß-glucuronidase. Skeletal abnormalities are common in patients and result in diminished quality of life. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for MPS VII using recombinant human ß-glucuronidase (vestronidase alfa) was recently approved for use in patients; however, to date there have been no studies evaluating therapeutic efficacy in a large animal model of MPS VII. The objective of this study was to establish the effects of intravenous ERT, administered at either the standard clinical dose (4 mg/kg) or a high dose (20 mg/kg), on skeletal disease progression in MPS VII using the naturally occurring canine model. Untreated MPS VII animals exhibited progressive synovial joint and vertebral bone disease and were no longer ambulatory by age 6 months. Standard-dose ERT-treated animals exhibited modest attenuation of joint disease, but by age 6 months were no longer ambulatory. High-dose ERT-treated animals exhibited marked attenuation of joint disease, and all were still ambulatory by age 6 months. Vertebral bone disease was recalcitrant to ERT irrespective of dose. Overall, our findings indicate that ERT administered at higher doses results in significantly improved skeletal disease outcomes in MPS VII dogs.

Cranial and vertebral osteosarcoma commonly has T2 signal heterogeneity, contrast enhancement, and osteolysis on MRI: A case series of 35 dogs.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to evaluate the central nervous system (CNS) in dogs; however, published studies describing the MRI appearance of cranial and vertebral osteosarcoma are scarce. In this multicenter, retrospective, case series study, MRI studies of 35 dogs with cranial or vertebral osteosarcoma were prospectively scored by consensus of two veterinary radiologists. Recorded characteristics were location, signal intensity (compared to gray matter), homogeneity, contrast enhancement, margin delineation, local invasion, osteolysis, osteosclerosis, zone of transition, periosteal proliferation, pathological fracture, meningeal/CNS involvement, and presence of metastatic disease. Locations included the parietal bone (n = 1), occipital bone (n = 2), or cervical (n = 5), thoracic (n = 17), lumbar (n = 7), or sacral vertebrae (n = 3). Common features included signal heterogeneity in T2-weighted (T2W) images (n = 35), contrast enhancement (in all 34 dogs with postcontrast MRI), osteolysis (n = 34), compression of the CNS or cauda equina (n = 33), an associated soft tissue mass (n = 33), a long zone of transition (n = 30), osteosclerosis (n = 28), signal isointensity to normal-appearing gray matter in T1-weighted images (T1W, n = 26), and T2W hyperintensity of adjacent brain or spinal cord (n = 23). Other findings included periosteal proliferation (n = 18), meningeal contrast enhancement (n = 17), T1W and T2W hypointense foci in the soft tissue mass (n = 14), invasion into adjacent bones (n = 10), pathological vertebral fractures (n = 7), regional lymphadenopathy (n = 6), skip metastases (n = 2), lung nodule (n = 1), diaphragmatic nodule (n = 1), and brain invasion (n = 1). Contrast enhancement was typically strong and heterogeneous. Magnetic resonance imaging features of cranial and vertebral osteosarcoma were analogous to those previously reported for other imaging modalities. Osteosarcoma should be a differential diagnosis for compressive, contrast-enhancing, osteolytic lesions of the cranium or vertebrae.

High-field MRI using standard pulse sequences has moderate to substantial interobserver agreement and good accuracy for differentiation between intracranial extra-axial histiocytic sarcoma and meningioma in dogs.

Intracranial extra-axial histiocytic sarcoma shares common MRI features with meningioma. As histiocytic sarcoma carries a generally worse prognosis than meningioma, the ability to differentiate between these two neoplasms is of clinical value. The aim of this retrospective diagnostic accuracy and observer agreement study was to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of high-field MRI to differentiate between these two tumors, using standard pulse sequences and published MRI features. A total of 51 dogs were included (26 meningiomas and 25 histiocytic sarcomas). Magnetic resonance imaging examinations were independently assessed by three experienced board-certified radiologists, evaluating 18 imaging features. They were asked to assign each case to one of three categories (meningioma, histiocytic sarcoma, and undetermined). Agreement for the MRI diagnosis across all three reviewers was moderate (κ 0.54) while paired interobserver agreement ranged from moderate to substantial (κ 0.58-0.74) with percent agreement ranging between 86.1% and 87.7%. Overall, the probability of correctly diagnosing meningioma in a dog with this tumor ranged between 79.2% and 94.4%, and the probability of correctly diagnosing histiocytic sarcoma in a dog with this tumor ranged between 76.0% and 92.3%. The overall probability to diagnose the correct tumor, irrespective of type, ranged between 79.2% and 89.7%. Histiocytic sarcomas tended to have more extensive edema and more often had combined perilesional and distant meningeal enhancement affecting both pachy- and leptomeninges, while for meningiomas, meningeal enhancement tended to more commonly be perilesional and pachymeningeal. Imaging features that seemed more useful to make a correct diagnosis included "location/type of meningeal enhancement," "osseous changes in the adjacent neurocranium," "cystic changes," and "herniation severity."

Agreement and differentiation of intradural spinal cord lesions in dogs using magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice for diagnosing spinal cord neoplasia, but the accuracy of designating the relationship of a neoplasm to the meninges and agreement among observers is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine agreement among observers and accuracy of diagnosis compared with histology when diagnosing lesion location based on relationship to the meninges. ANIMALS: Magnetic resonance images from 53 dogs with intradural extramedullary and intramedullary spinal neoplasms and 17 dogs with degenerative myelopathy. METHODS: Six observers were supplied with 2 sets of 35 images at different time points and asked to designate lesion location. Agreement in each set was analyzed using kappa (κ) statistics. We tabulated total correct allocations and calculated sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios for location designation from images compared with known histologic location for lesions confined to 1 location only. RESULTS: Agreement in the first set of images was moderate (κ = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.58) and in the second, substantial (κ = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.66-0.79). In the accuracy study, 180 (75%) of the 240 diagnostic calls were correct. Sensitivity and specificity were moderate to high for all compartments, except poor sensitivity was found for intradural extramedullary lesions. Positive likelihood ratios were high for intradural extramedullary lesions and degenerative myelopathy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Overall accuracy in diagnosis was reasonable, and positive diagnostic calls for intradural extramedullary lesions and negative calls for intramedullary lesions are likely to be helpful. Observers exhibited considerable disagreement in designation of lesions relationship to the meninges.

Association between spinal cord compression ratio in magnetic resonance imaging, initial neurological status, and recovery after ventral slot in 57 dogs with cervical disc extrusion.

This retrospective, unblinded, single rater study evaluated images obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of dogs with cervical intervertebral disc extrusion before being submitted to ventral slot decompression (VSD). Dogs were re-evaluated systematically at 10 and 30 days after VSD. The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations between the following parameters: (1) The maximal spinal cord compression ratio (SCCR) as seen on transverse MRI and pre-surgical neurological status (NS) grade; we hypothesized that dogs with greater SCCR will have worse pre-surgical NS grade at presentation; (2) Pre-surgical NS grade and postoperative recovery; we hypothesized that worse pre-surgical NS grade will be associated with longer postoperative recovery time; (3) SCCR and postoperative recovery; we hypothesized that dogs with higher SCCR will have longer recovery time; (4) Location of extrusion (cranial vs. caudal) and initial NS grade and outcomes; we hypothesized that caudal cervical extrusion will have worse NS grade and longer time to recovery; (5) Longitudinal extension of ventral CSF signal loss on HASTE pulse sequence and NS grade and time to recovery; we hypothesized that dogs with longer HASTE CSF attenuation will have higher NS grade and longer time to recovery. There was no significant association between SCCR and NS grade, suggesting that this relationship in the cervical region is similar to what is observed in the thoracolumbar region, rejecting our first hypothesis. There was a significant difference between ambulatory tetraparesis dogs versus non-ambulatory tetraparesis dogs regarding complete recovery at 10 days: dogs with NS grade 1, 2, or 3 overall recovered faster than dogs with NS grade 4. However, there was no significant difference between these groups regarding complete recovery at 30 days, thereby accepting our second hypothesis at 10 days and rejecting it at 30 days. There was no correlation between SCCR and recovery time, rejecting our third hypothesis. Caudal cervical extrusion did not show higher NS grade or longer recovery time than cranial extrusion, rejecting our fourth hypothesis. CSF attenuation length ratio on HASTE images was not significantly correlated with NS grade but weakly correlate with post-surgical recovery time, partially accepting our fifth hypothesis.

Reduced field-of-view diffusion-weighted MRI can identify restricted diffusion in the spinal cord of dogs and cats with presumptive clinical and high-field MRI diagnosis of acute ischemic myelopathy.

Diffusion-weighted imaging MRI is the gold standard imaging technique for diagnosis of suspected acute brain ischemia in dogs and cats; however, it is technically challenging to apply to spinal cord imaging, due to its very small size, the inherent low spatial resolution of diffusion-weighted imaging, and the marked distortion resulting from magnetic field inhomogeneities caused by the osseous components of the vertebral column surrounding the spinal cord. Ischemic myelopathy is a common cause of acute non-compressive myelopathy in dogs and cats. Technological improvement in diffusion-weighted imaging pulse sequences allow imaging at smaller field of view with better spatial resolution and less image distortion. We sought to evaluate reduced field-of-view diffusion-weighted imaging MRI using a dedicated proprietary pulse sequence (FOCUS, General Electric) in a small sample of dogs and cats with a presumptive clinical and MRI diagnosis of acute ischemic myelopathy that were imaged with this pulse sequence. Five dogs and two cats fitted these inclusion criteria. In all of them, hyperintense spinal cord parenchyma signal was seen on diffusion-weighted imaging images corresponding to decreased signal on apparent diffusion coefficient map indicative of restricted diffusion, consistent with ischemia and cytotoxic edema. These areas matched the areas of abnormal T2-weighted signal and cord swelling observed on conventional spinal MRI. This small exploratory descriptive study indicates feasibility and possible usefulness of reduced field-of-view diffusion-weighted imaging MRI in dogs and cats with suspected acute ischemic myelopathy and that it may be added to the imaging protocol of the spine in such patients in an appropriate clinical setting.

Serial abdominal radiographs do not significantly increase accuracy of diagnosis of gastrointestinal mechanical obstruction due to occult foreign bodies in dogs and cats.

Abdominal radiographs are commonly used in dogs and cats that present with gastrointestinal signs. When initial abdominal radiographs are equivocal for the presence or absence of gastrointestinal mechanical obstruction, follow-up abdominal radiographs may be recommended. Based on our review of the literature, no published study has been performed to evaluate the clinical utility of serial abdominal radiographs in such cases. The purpose of this study is to determine whether follow-up abdominal radiographs increase diagnostic accuracy for mechanical obstruction. A prospective cohort study was performed on client-owned dogs and cats with clinical concern for gastrointestinal mechanical obstruction and initial abdominal radiographs inconclusive for the presence of obstruction. Follow-up abdominal radiographs were performed between 7 and 28 h of the initial radiographs; an abdominal ultrasound performed within 3 h of the follow-up study served as the gold standard. A total of 57 patients (40 dogs and 17 cats) were recruited; 19 of 57 cases (11 dogs; 8 cats) were mechanically obstructed, all with nonradiopaque foreign bodies. Four blinded reviewers (2 radiologists, 1 radiology resident, 1 criticalist) separately assessed the initial and the combined initial/follow-up radiographic studies for diagnosis of mechanical obstruction; for each observer, there was no significant change in accuracy (P = .058-.87) for the diagnosis of mechanical obstruction. Given the lack of significant increase in diagnostic accuracy using follow-up radiographs in cases of occult gastrointestinal mechanical obstruction, other diagnostic options (eg, abdominal ultrasonography) could be considered when survey abdominal radiographs are inconclusive for the diagnosis of mechanical obstruction in dogs and cats.

Identification of the Identical Human Mutation in ACVR1 in 2 Cats With Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva.

Two domestic shorthair cats, 1 intact female and 1 intact male, presented with progressive limb lameness and digital deformities at 4 and 6 months of age. Stiffness and swelling of the distal thoracic and pelvic limb joints progressed to involve hip and shoulder joints, resulting in reduced mobility. Radiographs in both cats and computed tomography of the male cat revealed ankylosing, polyarticular deposits of extracortical heterotopic bone spanning multiple axial and appendicular joints, extending into adjacent musculotendinous tissues. All findings supported fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a disorder characterized by toe malformations and progressive heterotopic ossification in humans. In both cats, molecular analyses revealed the same heterozygous mutation in the activin A receptor type I (ACVR1) gene that occurs in humans with FOP. Several reports of heterotopic ossification in cats exist, but this is the first one to identify clinical FOP in 2 cats with the identical mutation that occurs in >95% of humans with FOP.

Vertebral heart size in healthy Australian cattle dog.

The vertebral heart score or size (VHS) measurement is routinely used to provide a more objective measurement of cardiomegaly in dogs. However, breed or body conformation can influence the VHS. To assess the specific VHS for the Australian Cattle Dog, left-to-right lateral, right-to-left lateral, dorsoventral and ventrodorsal thoracic radiographs from 20 individuals free from cardiac and pulmonary disease were obtained. The mean VHS was significantly higher in Australian Cattle Dog (10.5 ± 0.4 vertebrae), when compared with the average VHS for 100 normal dogs of different breeds that had been initially published (9.7 ± 0.5 vertebrae). This emphasizes the importance of breed-specific VHS ranges. In our study group of normal Australian Cattle Dogs, the mean VHS was 10.5 ± 0.5 vertebrae (mean ±SD) on right lateral and 10.3 ± 0.5 vertebrae on left lateral radiographs. The VHS on right lateral views was significantly larger than on left lateral views. The VHS was 10.5 ± 0.6 vertebrae on dorsoventral and 11.1 ± 0.6 vertebrae on ventrodorsal radiographs. The VHS on ventrodorsal views was significantly larger than on dorsoventral views.

Effects of a granulocyte colony stimulating factor, Neulasta, in mini pigs exposed to total body proton irradiation.

Astronauts could be exposed to solar particle event (SPE) radiation, which is comprised mostly of proton radiation. Proton radiation is also a treatment option for certain cancers. Both astronauts and clinical patients exposed to ionizing radiation are at risk for loss of white blood cells (WBCs), which are the body's main defense against infection. In this report, the effect of Neulasta treatment, a granulocyte colony stimulating factor, after proton radiation exposure is discussed. Mini pigs exposed to total body proton irradiation at a dose of 2 Gy received 4 treatments of either Neulasta or saline injections. Peripheral blood cell counts and thromboelastography parameters were recorded up to 30 days post-irradiation. Neulasta significantly improved WBC loss, specifically neutrophils, in irradiated animals by approximately 60% three days after the first injection, compared to the saline treated, irradiated animals. Blood cell counts quickly decreased after the last Neulasta injection, suggesting a transient effect on WBC stimulation. Statistically significant changes in hemostasis parameters were observed after proton radiation exposure in both the saline and Neulasta treated irradiated groups, as well as internal organ complications such as pulmonary changes. In conclusion, Neulasta treatment temporarily alleviates proton radiation-induced WBC loss, but has no effect on altered hemostatic responses.

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ULTRASOUND AND CLINICAL FINDINGS IN 87 CATS WITH URETHRAL OBSTRUCTION.

Urethral obstruction is a life-threatening form of feline lower urinary tract disease. Ultrasonographic risk factors for reobstruction have not been previously reported. Purposes of this retrospective cross-sectional study were to describe urinary tract ultrasound findings in cats following acute urethral obstruction and determine whether ultrasound findings were associated with reobstruction. Inclusion criteria were a physical examination and history consistent with urethral obstruction, an abdominal ultrasound including a full evaluation of the urinary system within 24 h of hospitalization, and no cystocentesis prior to ultrasound examination. Medical records for included cats were reviewed and presence of azotemia, hyperkalemia, positive urine culture, and duration of hospitalization were recorded. For medically treated cats with available outcome data, presence of reobstruction was also recorded. Ultrasound images were reviewed and urinary tract characteristics were recorded. A total of 87 cats met inclusion criteria. Common ultrasound findings for the bladder included echogenic urine sediment, bladder wall thickening, pericystic effusion, hyperechoic pericystic fat, and increased urinary echoes; and for the kidneys/ureters included pyelectasia, renomegaly, perirenal effusion, hyperechoic perirenal fat, and ureteral dilation. Six-month postdischarge outcomes were available for 61 medically treated cats and 21 of these cats had reobstruction. No findings were associated with an increased risk of reobstruction. Ultrasonographic perirenal effusion was associated with severe hyperkalemia (P = 0.009, relative risk 5.75, 95% confidence interval [1.54-21.51]). Findings supported the use of ultrasound as an adjunct for treatment planning in cats presented with urethral obstruction but not as a method for predicting risk of reobstruction.

CT AND MRI FEATURES OF CAROTID BODY PARAGANGLIOMAS IN 16 DOGS.

Carotid body tumors (paragangliomas) arise from chemoreceptors located at the carotid bifurcation. In imaging studies, this neoplasm may be confused with other neck neoplasms such as thyroid carcinoma. The purpose of this retrospective, cross-sectional study was to describe computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of confirmed carotid body tumors in a multi-institutional sample of dogs. A total of 16 dogs met inclusion criteria (14 examined using CT and two with MRI). The most common reason for imaging was a palpable cervical mass or respiratory signs (i.e., dyspnea or increased respiratory noises). The most commonly affected breed was Boston terrier (n = 5). Dogs were predominantly male castrated (n = 10) and the median age was 9 years [range 3-14.5]. Most tumors appeared as a large mass centered at the carotid bifurcation, with poor margination in six dogs and discrete margins in ten dogs. Masses were iso- to hypoattenuating to adjacent muscles in CT images and hyperintense to muscles in T1- and T2-weighted MRI. For both CT and MRI, masses typically showed strong and heterogeneous contrast enhancement. There was invasion into the adjacent structures in 9/16 dogs. In six of these nine dogs, the basilar portion of the skull was affected. The external carotid artery was entrapped in seven dogs. There was invasion into the internal jugular vein in three dogs, and into the external jugular, maxillary, and linguo-facial veins in one dog. Imaging characteristics helped explain some clinical presentations such as breathing difficulties, Horner's syndrome, head tilt, or facial nerve paralysis.

Acceptance rate and reasons for rejection of manuscripts submitted to Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound during 2012.

Better understanding of the reasons why manuscripts are rejected, and recognition of the most frequent manuscript flaws identified by reviewers, should help submitting authors to avoid these pitfalls. Of 219 manuscripts submitted to Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound in 2012, none (0%) was accepted without revision, four (2%) were withdrawn by the authors, 99 (45%) were accepted after revision, and 116 (53%) were rejected. All manuscripts for which minor revision was requested, and 73/86 (85%) manuscripts for which major revision was requested, were ultimately accepted. Acceptance rate was greater for retrospective studies and for manuscripts submitted from countries in which English was the primary language. The prevalences of flaws in manuscripts were poor writing (62%), deficiencies in data (60%), logical or methodological errors (28%), content not suitable for Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound (26%), and lack of new or useful knowledge (25%). Likelihood of manuscript rejection was greater for lack of new or useful knowledge and content not suitable than for other manuscript flaws. The lower acceptance rate for manuscripts from countries in which English was not the primary language was associated with content not suitable and not poor writing. Submitting authors are encouraged to do more to recognize and address manuscript flaws before submission, for example by internal review. Specifically, submitting authors should express clearly the potential added value of their study in the introduction section of their manuscript, describe completely their methods and results, and consult the Editor-in-Chief if they are uncertain whether their subject matter would be suitable for the journal.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings associated with lateral cerebral ventriculomegaly in English Bulldogs.

Multiple congenital or developmental anomalies associated with the central nervous system have been reported in English Bulldogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify and describe the prevalence and MRI characteristics of these anomalies and their association with presence and degree of cerebral ventriculomegaly. Magnetic resonance imaging studies of 50 English Bulldogs were evaluated. Forty-eight dogs had some degree of cerebral ventriculomegaly, 27 of which had an otherwise normal brain. Presence of lateral ventriculomegaly was not significantly associated with presence of another intracranial lesion. Appearance of the septum pellucidum was variable, ranging from intact to incomplete or completely absent. The corpus callosum was subjectively thinned in all but three dogs, two of which had normal lateral ventricles. Fusion of the rostral colliculi was not found in any dog. A persistent craniopharyngeal canal was identified in one dog. Aqueductal stenosis caused by fusion of the rostral colliculi was not identified in any dog. Findings indicated that cerebral ventriculomegaly is a common finding in English Bulldogs with or without other intracranial lesions, aqueductal stenosis caused by fusion of the rostral colliculi is unlikely to be a common etiology leading to obstructive hydrocephalus, and a large craniopharyngeal canal is a rare finding that has unknown clinical significance at this time.