Comparative evaluation of the lateral ventricles with computed tomography in Yorkshire terrier, maltese, and shih-tzu dogs

This study was performed to evaluate the size and asymmetry of the lateral ventricles in CT images of three different small breed dogs. CT examinations were performed on thirty Yorkshire terriers, malteses, and shihtzu dogs, respectively. The size and asymmetry of their lateral ventricles were evaluated at three different levels of brain, and dogs were categorized on the basis of the percentage of their ventricular height (Vh) to brain height (Bh). Degree of asymmetry was also categorized based on the rVh (ratio of right and left ventricular heights) as normal (rVh < 1.5), mild (1.5 < rVh < 2.0), or severe (2.0 < rVh). Clinically insignificant ventricular dilation was common in these breed dogs. However, severe asymmetry was not presented in clinically normal dogs. We suggested 11 mm as an upper limit of ventricular size in normal small breed dogs.