Morphometric Measurements of the Mesencephalic Aqueduct in Normal Versus Abnormal Canine Brains: In Vivo MRI Study

Abstract

Several conditions are found to be associated with the cerebral stenosis in young and adult in man. This aqueduct has no record in the veterinary field. The aims of this study are to define the normal shape and area of the aqueduct, establish a new parameter (an angle) in normal canine brains and finding out the effect of abnormalities on these parameters. The shape, area, signal intensity and the angle of the mesencephalic aqueduct of five groups were examined in this study. The results representing that the mesencephalic aqueduct normal shape, its angle and signal intensities are well defined and may be altered in abnormalities.

The angle is also proportionally affected by the head shape of the dog. It is concluded that the mesencephalic aqueduct is changeable in abnormalities and its angle may be applied for defining the significant changes within the aqueduct.