Three-dimensional CT Study of the Canine Head Using Volume Rendered 3D Computed Tomographic Reconstruction

Aims: To provide a description of normal anatomy of the bony structures of canine head using volume rendered 3D computed tomography (CT) reconstruction images as a tool for clinical and educational purposes.
Study Design: Application of CT for the study of the bony structures of the head in two male dogs, using three-dimensional reconstructed images.
Methodology: The images were obtained using a-CT axial equipment. Throughout the procedure, the dogs were positioned in ventral recumbency during scanning time. Contiguous transverse slices were acquired from the external nares to the occipital condyles of the skull. Scans were processed with a detailed algorithm to enhance bony structures using a wide window. The original data were stored and transferred to an image analysis workstation capable of generating 3D volume-rendered CT reconstructed images of the head, using a standard DICOM 3D format. CT images were compared to the corresponding osseous anatomic preparations and textbook to identify the normal 3D CT anatomy of the bony structures of the canine head.
Results: In the volume rendered 3D reformatted CT images, anatomical details of cranial and facial bones, mandible, hyoid bone and teeth were identified and labelled in the corresponding figures.
Conclusion: The volume-rendered 3D reformatted CT images obtained in this study provided valid information on anatomic characteristics of bony structures of the head in dogs. These images should be useful for guiding clinical evaluation of this anatomic region in dogs.