Computed Tomographic Measurement of Trochlear Depth in Three Breeds of Brachycephalic Dog

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the trochlear sulcus depth of three common brachycephalic breeds at risk of medial patellar luxation.

Study Design Retrospective blinded clinical study using a previously validated ratio (T/P) of maximal trochlear sulcus depth (T) and maximal patellar craniocaudal thickness (P) measured on computed tomography, to assess trochlear sulcus depth in Pugs, French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs without clinical patellar luxation. The effect of breed on T/P was assessed using one-way linear regression models.

Results The mean T/P was affected by breed (p < 0.001). There was significant difference between Pugs (0.45) and French Bulldogs (0.38) and between Pugs and English Bulldogs (0.4). There was no significant difference between Pugs and previously published data for non-brachycephalic and mixed breed dogs (0.46) (p = 0.39). Mean T/P was significantly reduced in the brachycephalic dog breeds combined compared with the previously published data (p < 0.001).

Conclusion The trochlear sulcus varies by breed and was more shallow in French and English Bulldogs than Pugs, hence a shallow sulcus may be a breed-driven characteristic. The three breeds assessed are at risk of patellar luxation but sulcus depth did not directly correlate with previously published risk factors—the contribution of sulcus depth to the aetiopathogenesis of patellar luxation remains unclear. Trochlear recession to achieve patellar coverage of 50% may be excessive considering maximal breed normal depth.

Keywords

patellar luxation - brachycephalic dog - femur - trochlear sulcus - computed tomography

Authors' Contributions

B.M., M.P. and R.M. contributed to conception of the study; A.M., A.P. and R.M. designed the study; A.M., B.M. and R.M. acquired the data; and A.M., J.B. and R.M. contributed to data analysis and interpretation. All authors drafted/revised and approved the submitted manuscript. They are publically accountable for relevant content.

Publication History

Received: 05 January 2020

Accepted: 26 August 2020

Article published online:
26 November 2020

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