CavalierCampaign.com
Campaign to improve the health of Pedigree Dogs
Canine Chiari-like Malformation & Syringomyelia (CM/SM)
I am grateful to Dr Clare Rusbridge BVMS PhD DECVN MRCVS, who has given me permission to re-print her paper on Canine Chiari-like Malformation and Syringomyelia (November 2008). Dr Rusbridge is a world leading authority on canine Syringomyelia and is based at the Stone Lion Veterinary Centre, Wimbledon, London, SW19 SAU, UK.
More detailed information on Syringomyelia can be found at Dr Rusbridge's excellent website.
Rod Russell's US based Cavalier Health website.
You can also download the following PDF documents from this website:
Genetic studies of Chiari-like Malformation with Syringomyelia in the CKCS
by Clare Rusbridge [PDF]
Treatment algorithm for Chiari-like Malformation with Syringomyelia [PDF]
A support group for owners of affected dogs (also run by Karlin Lillington) may be found here.
Publicity leaflet for the new official BVA KC CMSM MRI screening scheme for breeders may be seen here.
In this MRI image of a Cavalier with Syringomyelia you can see where the hindbrain (cerebellum) is herniating down through the foramen magnum. There are two large syrinxes (in white) in the upper (cervical) spinal cord and more in the lower (lumber) spinal cord region.
This is an MRI image of the brain and spinal cord of a five-year-old female Cavalier without Syringomyelia. Note the solid black normal spinal cord.
About Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia (SM) is characterised by fluid filled cavities within the spinal cord. SM occurs secondary to obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) especially if that obstruction is at the foramen magnum.
The most common predisposing cause in the dog is Chiari-like malformation (CM). The primary clinical sign of CM/SM is pain, either due to obstruction of the CSF pulse pressure and/or a neuropathic pain syndrome due to damage to the spinal cord dorsal horn.
Chiari-like malformation (CM) is a condition characterised by disparity in size between the brain (too big) and the caudal fossa (too small) such that the cerebellum and brain stem are herniated into or through the foramen magnum.
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