Volumetric analysis of tongue size and tongue fat in brachycephalic and mesaticephalic dogs

While macroglossia is a newly accepted component of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in dogs, macroglossia with increased tongue fat is a well-known cause for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in people, and targeted reduction procedures such as midline glossectomy are used to treat people with OSA. While midline glossectomy has been described in dogs, tissue contributions to macroglossia have not been characterized. The purpose of this retrospective, case-control, anatomic study was to describe and compare volumetric dimensions of the tongue and tongue fat in brachycephalic (BC) and mesaticephalic (MC) dogs using computed tomographic (CT) images. Data collected included head and neck CT images from 17 BC and 18 control MC dogs. Multiplanar reformatted and 3D reconstructed images were created using image segmentation and specialized visualization software to calculate volumetric dimensions of the total tongue, tongue fat, and tongue muscle. Topographical distribution of fat in the rostral and caudal regions was compared. Total tongue and tongue muscle volume (P<0.0001) and tongue fat volume (P=0.01) normalized to body weight (BW) were greater in BC dogs. More fat was localized in the caudal region of tongue in both groups (P<0.04). In regression analysis, BC conformation and increased weight were significant predictors of increased tongue fat volume. As in people, increased tongue fat may contribute to macroglossia and sleep-disordered breathing in BC dogs. Use of CT volumetry to identify tongue fat deposits may permit targeted surgical volume reduction of the tongue in BC dogs and contribute substantially to treatment of dogs with BOAS.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

VMS-Veterinary Clinical Medcne

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Song, Ava H

Contributors dc:contributor

• Phillips, Heidi
• Reinhart, Jennifer M
• Billhymer, Audrey

• Tongue Volume
• Tongue Fat
• Brachycephalic Dogs
• Sleep Apnea
• Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Ava Song

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121308

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F121308