Quantitative Analysis of Brain CT Perfusion in Healthy Beagle Dogs: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Simple Summary Cerebral perfusion provides important information about capillary-level hemodynamics of the brain parenchyma, especially in conditions such as an ischemic stroke, brain tumors, and inflammation. The assessment of brain perfusion in dogs has been performed using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), sonography, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography. However, these methods, except for CT, have limitations and difficulties in obtaining quantitative values. In addition, some of them are cost-prohibitive, particularly SPECT and MR imaging. CT scanners are widely available in clinical hospitals, making CT-based perfusion techniques more accessible for studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the normal range of perfusion determined via CT in the brains of healthy dogs and to compare values between white matter and gray matter, differences in aging, and each hemisphere. The results of our study showed that the cerebral blood volume and cerebral blood flow values of white matter in the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes were significantly lower than gray matter values. No significant differences were observed in the age-related variations or between the left and right hemispheres in other brain regions. In addition, quantitative values of CT perfusion parameters in a specific brain region were presented. This information provided by our study might contribute to a better understanding of brain perfusion in healthy dogs, potentially leading to the earlier diagnosis and improved treatment of brain diseases. Brain computed tomography (CT) perfusion is a technique that allows for the fast evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics. However, quantitative studies of brain CT perfusion in veterinary medicine are lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the normal range of perfusion determined via CT in brains of healthy dogs and to compare values between white matter and gray matter, differences in aging, and each hemisphere. Nine intact male beagle dogs were prospectively examined using dynamic CT scanning and post-processing for brain perfusion. Regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV), regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), mean transit time, and time to peak were calculated. Tissue ROIs were drawn in the gray matter and white matter of the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes; caudate nucleus; thalamus; piriform lobe; hippocampus; and cerebellum. Significant differences were observed between the white matter regions and gray matter regions for rCBV and rCBF (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were identified between hemispheres and between young and old groups in brain regions. The findings obtained in this study involving healthy beagle dogs might serve as a reference for regional CT perfusion values in specific brain regions. These results may aid in the characterization of various brain diseases in dogs.