Incidental Findings on Cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging in French Bulldogs Evaluated for Spinal Disorders: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Background Advances in diagnostic imaging have increased the incidental detection of abnormalities in multiple organ systems. French Bulldogs (FBs) are predisposed to neurological and otologic conditions that can be detected on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the prevalence and clinical relevance of incidental findings on cranial MRI in FBs without clinical signs of intracranial or ear disease remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and spectrum of incidental findings on cranial MRI in a real-world clinical setting among FBs previously evaluated for suspected spinal disorders. Results MRI and clinical data from 20 FBs were retrospectively reviewed. Abnormalities were identified incidentally in 12 FBs (60%), including middle ear effusion (MEE) (9/20, 45%), a brain tumor (1/20, 5%), cerebral microbleeds (1/20, 5%), and cysts of the sella turcica (1/20, 5%). Conclusions Intracranial abnormalities and MEE were relatively common on cranial MRI in FBs evaluated for spinal disorders. Although the implications of these results remain unclear, the detection of potentially clinically significant lesions, including neoplasia, cerebral microbleeds, and sellar cysts, suggests that complementary cranial MRI may be considered in selected cases, particularly for high-risk breeds. Prospective studies are warranted to better assess the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of cranial MRI in FBs with suspected spinal disease.