Craniomaxillofacial Abnormalities in Dogs With Congenital Palatal Defects: Computed Tomographic Findings

Objective: To evaluate craniomaxillofacial abnormalities in dogs with congenital palatal defects. Study Design: Retrospective computed tomography (CT) study. Animals: Dogs with congenital palatal defects (n=9). Methods: Medical records and CT reports (1995-2012) were searched for dogs with a diagnosis of cleft palate that had a CT study. Data retrieved were: breed, age, sex, weight, physical examination, and laboratory findings, number of previous palate surgeries, and oral/dental examination findings with the diagnosis of the cleft for each dog. CT studies of the head were reviewed on a structure-by-structure basis. Results: Tympanic bullae were most commonly found to be abnormal (8 dogs), followed by nasal turbinates (6), nasal septum, vomer, cribriform plate (4), frontal sinuses, and lateral ventricles (3). Other abnormalities were related to occlusion, teeth, incisive bones, maxillary bones, mandibles, hyoid apparatus, cranial bones, and nasopharynx. The soft tissue defect of the cleft was always smaller than the bony defect. Conclusions: Craniomaxillofacial abnormalities in dogs with congenital palatal defects are common and some of these may negatively affect the quality of life. Importantly for surgical planning, the soft tissue component of the cleft may underestimate the extent of the bony defect, especially in failed repairs.