Alterações radiográficas do aparato podotroclear de equinos da Polícia Militar de Minas Gerais sem sinais clínicos de doença do osso navicular / Radiographic changes in the podotroclear apparatus from Minas Gerais State Military horses without clinical signs of navicular disease

Os objetivos deste experimento foram identificar e associar alterações radiográficas do aparato podotoclear de equinos do Regimento de Cavalaria Alferes Tiradentes da Policia Militar do estado de Minas Gerais sem histórico e sinais clínicos de doença do osso navicular. Foi avaliado um total de 33 equinos, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 10 e 20 anos. Os dígitos torácicos foram radiografados de forma padronizada nas projeções lateromedial (LM), dorsoproximal palmarodistal 65º (DPPD) e palmaroproximal palmarodistal (SK). A radiopacidade medular aumentada em projeção SK foi a principal alteração radiográfica detectada. Essa alteração foi associada a maior número de invaginações sinovais, a maior espessura de cortical em relação à medular em exposição SK e a maior relação corticomedular em exposição LM (P<0,05). Esses achados indicam uma predisposição da população equina para desenvolver a síndrome do osso navicular, possivelmente associada ao trauma repetitivo promovido pelo constante trabalho em piso duro.

The aims of this study were to identify and associate radiographic changes of podotoclear apparatus in horses from the Tiradentes Calvary Regiment of the Military Police of Minas Gerais State without history and clinical signs of navicular disease. 33 horses from both sexes, aged between 10 and 20 years were evaluated. The thoracic digits were radiographed in a standardized manner in lateralmedial (LM), palmaroproximal-distodorsal 65o(DPPD) and palmaroproximal-distopalmar (SK) projections. The increased medullary radiopacity in SK projection was the main radiological change detected and was associated with a higher number of synoval invaginations, increased cortical thickness in relation to medulla in SK exposure and increased corticomedullar in LM exposure (P < 0.05). These findings indicate a predisposition of this population to develop navicular syndrome, which is possibly associated with repetitive trauma promoted by constant work on hard floors.

Bone mineral density of Brazilian girls with juvenile dermatomyositis

We measured bone mineral density (BMD) in girls with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) considering multiple factors in order to determine if it could be used as a predictor of reduction in bone mass. A cross-sectional study of lumbar spine BMD (L2-L4) was conducted on 10 girls aged 7-16 years with JDM. A group of 20 age-matched healthy girls was used as control. Lumbar spine BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Weight, height and pubertal Tanner stage were determined in all patients and controls. Duration of disease and mean daily and cumulative steroid doses were calculated for all patients on the basis of their medical charts. JDM activity was determined on the basis of the presence of muscle weakness, cutaneous vasculitis and/or elevation of serum concentration of one or more skeletal muscle enzymes. Seven patients demonstrated osteopenia or osteoporosis. Lumbar BMD was significantly lower in the JDM patients than the age-matched healthy control girls (0.712 vs 0.878, respectively; Student t-test, P = 0.041). No significant correlation between BMD and age, height, Tanner stage, disease duration, corticosteroid use, or disease activity was observed in JDM girls, but a correlation was observed between BMD and weight (Pearson's correlation coefficient, r = 0.802). Patients with JDM may be at risk for a significant reduction in BMD that might contribute to further skeletal fragility. Our results suggest that reduced bone mass in JDM may be related to other intrinsic mechanisms in addition to steroid treatment and some aspects of the disease itself may contribute to this condition.

Bone mineral density in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus

We evaluated spine bone mineral density (BMD) in Brazilian children with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) in order to detect potential predictors of reduction in bone mass. A cross-sectional study of BMD at the lumbar spine level (L2-L4) was conducted on 16 female JSLE patients aged 6-17 years. Thirty-two age-matched healthy girls were used as control. BMD at the lumbar spine was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Weight, height and pubertal Tanner stage were determined in patients and controls. Disease duration, mean daily steroid doses, mean cumulative steroid doses and JSLE activity measured by the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) were determined for all JSLE patients based on their medical charts. All parameters were used as potential determinant factors for bone loss. Lumbar BMD tended to be lower in the JSLE patients, however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.10). No significant correlation was observed in JSLE girls between BMD and age, height, Tanner stage, disease duration, corticosteroid use or disease activity. We found a weak correlation between BMD and weight (r = 0.672). In the JSLE group we found no significant parameters to correlate with reduced bone mass. Disease activity and mean cumulative steroid doses were not related to BMD values. We did not observe reduced bone mass in female JSLE