Influence of the Head Neck Position on Imaging Measurements Used to Assess the Craniovertebral Junction in Small Breed Dogs: A Cadaveric Study.

 We recommend a standardized head neck position of 50 degrees flexion if quantitative imaging measurements of the CVJ are used to diagnose pathologies in this region. Future studies should focus on the definition of cut-off values for quantitative imaging measurements of the CVJ to differentiate between healthy and diseased small breed dogs. Regarding atlantoaxial instability, a combination of six parameters (C1-C2 angle, C1-C2 overlap, atlantoaxial distance, dens-to-axis length ratio, ventral compression index and clivus canal angle) is promising for its diagnosis.