RISK-FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT OF PELVIC CANAL STENOSIS SECONDARY TO SACROILIAC SEPARATION - 84 CASES (1985-1995)

Objective-To measure pelvic canal diameter in dogs from a ventrodorsal radiographic view of the pelvic region, to define a normal pelvic can al diameter, to evaluate risk factors associated with stenosis of the pelvic canal secondary to sacroiliac separation, and to determine clin ical signs associated with pelvic canal stenosis. Design-Retrospective case series. Animals-84 case-group and 46 control-group dogs. Procedu re-Medical records and radiographs of dogs with conditions unrelated t o pelvic fracture (control group) and dogs with sacroiliac separation (case group) in which radiographs were obtained before surgery, after surgery, or after fracture healing were reviewed. Discriminant analysi s was used to determine a normal pelvic canal diameter. An ANOVA and D unnett's two-sided test were used to determine factors associated with pelvic canal stenosis. Results-Pelvic canal diameter ratio determined from control-group dogs was greater than or equal to 1.1. Pelvic cana l diameter ratios were significantly less for case-group dogs on radio graphs obtained before surgery and after fracture healing than for con trol-group dogs, regardless of fracture type or treatment, except for dogs with ilial fractures treated conservatively. Pelvic canal diamete r ratios did not differ for case-group dogs on radiographs obtained af ter surgery from those for control-group dogs, except when ilial fract ures were surgically reduced. None of the dogs had clinical signs asso ciated with pelvic canal stenosis. Clinical Implications-Pelvic canal diameter in dogs can be determined from a ventrodorsal radiographic vi ew of the pelvic region. Dogs with pelvic fractures that have a normal pelvic canal diameter before surgery tend to have a normal pelvic can al diameter after fracture healing.