Determination of cutoff values on computed tomography and magnetic resonance images for the diagnosis of atlantoaxial instability in small‐breed dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine cutoff values for the diagnosis of atlantoaxial instability (AAI) based on cross‐sectional imaging in small‐breed dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Client‐owned dogs (n = 123) and 28 cadavers. METHODS: Dogs were assigned to three groups: a control group, a “potentially unstable” group, and an AAI‐affected group, according to imaging findings and clinical signs. The ventral compression index (VCI), cranial translation ratio (CTR), C1‐C2 overlap, C1‐C2 angle, atlantoaxial distance, basion‐dens interval, dens‐to‐axis length ratio (DALR), power ratio, and clivus canal angles were measured on CT or T2‐weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to define cutoff values in flexed (≥25°) and extended (<25°) head positions. RESULTS: Cutoff values for the VCI of ≥0.16 in extended and ≥0.2 in flexed head positions were diagnostic for AAI (sensitivity of 100% and 100%, specificity of 94.54% and 96.67%, respectively). Cutoff values for the other measurements were defined with a lower sensitivity (75%‐96%) and specificity (70%‐97%). A combination of the measurements did not increase the sensitivity and specificity compared with the VCI as single measurement. CONCLUSION: Cutoff values for several imaging measurements were established with good sensitivity and specificity. The VCI, defined as the ratio between the ventral and dorsal atlantodental interval, had the highest sensitivity and specificity in both head positions. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of defined cutoff values allows an objective diagnosis of AAI in small‐breed dogs. The decision for surgical intervention, however, should remain based on a combination of clinical and imaging findings.