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. 2022 Jan;36(1):171-178.
doi: 10.1111/jvim.16327. Epub 2021 Dec 3.

Agreement and differentiation of intradural spinal cord lesions in dogs using magnetic resonance imaging

Maya S Krasnow  1 , John F Griffin 4th  2 , Jonathan M Levine  3 , Wilfried Mai  4 , Theresa E Pancotto  5 , Marc Kent  6 , Thomas R Harcourt-Brown  7 , Sheila C Carrera-Justiz  8 , Lindsey J Gilmour  3 , Amanda E Masciarelli  9 , Nicholas D Jeffery  3
Affiliations

Agreement and differentiation of intradural spinal cord lesions in dogs using magnetic resonance imaging

Maya S Krasnow et al. J Vet Intern Med. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice for diagnosing spinal cord neoplasia, but the accuracy of designating the relationship of a neoplasm to the meninges and agreement among observers is unknown.

Objectives: To determine agreement among observers and accuracy of diagnosis compared with histology when diagnosing lesion location based on relationship to the meninges.

Animals: Magnetic resonance images from 53 dogs with intradural extramedullary and intramedullary spinal neoplasms and 17 dogs with degenerative myelopathy.

Methods: Six observers were supplied with 2 sets of 35 images at different time points and asked to designate lesion location. Agreement in each set was analyzed using kappa (κ) statistics. We tabulated total correct allocations and calculated sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios for location designation from images compared with known histologic location for lesions confined to 1 location only.

Results: Agreement in the first set of images was moderate (κ = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.58) and in the second, substantial (κ = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.66-0.79). In the accuracy study, 180 (75%) of the 240 diagnostic calls were correct. Sensitivity and specificity were moderate to high for all compartments, except poor sensitivity was found for intradural extramedullary lesions. Positive likelihood ratios were high for intradural extramedullary lesions and degenerative myelopathy.

Conclusions and clinical importance: Overall accuracy in diagnosis was reasonable, and positive diagnostic calls for intradural extramedullary lesions and negative calls for intramedullary lesions are likely to be helpful. Observers exhibited considerable disagreement in designation of lesions relationship to the meninges.

Keywords: MRI; canine; interrater agreement; neoplastic; spinal cord.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Eleven‐year‐old female spayed Greyhound with progressive clinical signs and a confirmed meningioma. Six out of 6 evaluators agreed that this was an intradural‐extramedullary lesion. The large white arrow on the sagittal plane image denotes the position of the transverse slices. There is widening of the subarachnoid space caudal to the lesion (small white arrow). The mass (white arrowheads) results in compression and displacement of the spinal cord. Compared to the spinal cord, the mass is hyperintense on T1‐ and T2‐weighted images with faint, diffuse contrast enhancement. (3‐T MRI). T1, T1‐weighted image; T1c, T1‐weighted image following gadolinium contrast medium administration, FS fat saturation applied; T2, T2‐weighted image
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Three‐year‐old intact male Boxer with progressive clinical signs and a confirmed glioma. Five out of 6 evaluators agreed that this was an intramedullary mass. The large white arrow on the sagittal plane image denotes the position of the transverse slices. There is widening and T2‐hyperintensity of the spinal cord (small white arrow). The mass (white arrowheads) results in expansion of the spinal cord without displacement. Compared to normal‐appearing spinal cord, the mass is hyperintense on T2‐weighted images, isointense on T1‐weighted images, and has diffuse contrast enhancement. There is a thin rim of normal‐appearing spinal cord surrounding the lesion. (1‐T MRI). T1, T1‐weighted image; T1c, T1‐weighted image following gadolinium contrast medium administration; T2, T2‐weighted image
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