Florian Willmitzer, Michaela Gumpenberger, Irene Sommerfeld-Stur and Elisabeth Mayrhofer
The purpose of this retrospective study is to describe the radiographic morphology of the lesser trochanter as well as possible enthesiopathies of the iliopsoas muscle in Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs and Bavarian Mountain Hounds. The normal shape of the lesser trochanter appeared radiological triangular in German Shepherd Dogs and blunt or bump like in Rottweilers and Bavarian Mountain Hounds. Changes indicating an enthesiopathy presented as periosteal blurrings, variation in shape or in isolated bone opacity proximomedial to the lesser trochanter and were categorized into four groups. Three aspects were of special interest: general frequency of radiographic signs of enthesiopathy and potential correlation to sex or to hip dysplasia. In total 736 radiographic studies from Rottweilers (n=311), German Shepherd Dogs (n=133) and Bavarian Mountain Hounds (n=292) have been evaluated. Changes of the lesser trochanter are present in 105 (14.2%) of the radiographic studies. In Rottweilers and Bavarian Mountain Hounds enthesiopathy is significantly correlated to hip dysplasia as dogs classified as “C”, “D” and “E” were merged as one group. Regarding gender disposition no correlation was found. Computed tomography (CT) was additionally available in nine dogs and confirmed radiographic findings. The results of this study could be of major interest in the selection process of service, working and sports dogs as enthesiopathies of the iliopsoas muscle occurring in adolescent dogs might act as a life-long weak points, but additional data is needed to evaluate clinical relevance
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