Magnetic resonance imaging features of syringobulbia in small breed dogs

Syringobulbia is a rare neurological disorder characterized by a fluid-filled cavity in the brainstem. In this study, clinical signs, features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the diseases present concurrently with syringobulbia were investigated in 33 small breed dogs. Most dogs (97%) had concurrent syringomyelia, and some dogs (24%) presented with vestibular or cranial nerve symptoms associated with the medulla oblongata. MRIs revealed slit-like, bulbous, and vertical linear shapes of the cavities on T2-weighted hyperintense and T1-weighted hypointense signals similar to the cerebrospinal fluid. Chiari-like malformations were identified in all dogs. This study highlights the association of syringobulbia with syringomyelia and Chiari-like malformations in small breed dogs with or without brainstem-associated clinical signs.

Risk Factors for Gallbladder Stone Formation after Gastric Cancer Surgery

PURPOSE: Although an increased incidence of gallbladder (GB) stone formation after gastrectomy has been reported, its etiology remains uncertain. The goal of this study was to explore the incidence of gallstone formation after gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients and investigate the risk factors therein.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent curative gastrectomy, performed by a single surgeon between August 2012 and December 2015 at the Asan Medical Center, were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline characteristics and surgical outcomes, including GB stone gallstone formation after gastrectomy, were analyzed.RESULTS: Of 561 patients included in the study, 36 presented with GB stone formation after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The incidence of gallstone formation was 6.4%. The mean interval between gallstone formation and gastrectomy was 21.9 months. In multivariate analyses, the incidence of gallstone formation increased in patients 63 years or older, with greater than 6.2 kg weight loss in the first 6 months after the procedure, a preoperative serum total bilirubin level greater than 0.5 mg/dL, and in patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy.CONCLUSIONS: This study presented risk factors for GB stone formation after gastric cancer surgery, and special attention should be afforded to patients with such risk factors.

Evaluation of gallbladder and common bile duct size and appearance by computed tomography in dogs

The feasibility of using computed tomography (CT) to identify the common bile duct (CBD) and comparison with ultrasonography (US) results were evaluated in normal beagle dogs and dogs without hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. In addition, CBD diameters were obtained from CT at the level of the porta hepatis and the duodenal papilla level in dogs with underlying diseases that may cause cholestasis. US is a useful modality in the estimation of gallbladder volume because ejection fraction and CBD diameter from US were not significantly different from those of CT. The normal biliary tract was visible on CT images in 68% of the normal dog group. CBD diameter was not over 3 mm and 3.5 mm at the porta hepatis and duodenal papilla levels, respectively in normal dogs weighing less than 15 kg. Dogs suspected to have cholestasis associated with hepatobiliary or pancreatic diseases had significantly larger CBD than that in normal dogs.

Optimal scan delay depending on contrast material injection duration in abdominal multi-phase computed tomography of pancreas and liver in normal Beagle dogs

This study was conducted to establish the values for optimal fixed scan delays and diagnostic scan delays associated with the bolus-tracking technique using various contrast material injection durations in canine abdominal multi-phase computed tomography (CT). This study consisted of two experiments employing the crossover method. In experiment 1, three dynamic scans at the porta hepatis were performed using 5, 10 and 15 sec injection durations. In experiment 2, two CT scans consisting of five multi-phase series with different scan delays of 5 sec intervals for bolus-tracking were performed using 5, 10 and 15 sec injection duration. Mean arrival times to aortic enhancement peak (12.0, 15.6, and 18.6 sec for 5, 10, and 15 sec, respectively) and pancreatic parenchymal peak (17.8, 25.1, and 29.5 sec) differed among injection durations. The maximum mean attenuation values of aortas and pancreases were shown at the scan section with 0 and 5, 0 and 10 and 5 and 10 sec diagnostic scan delays during each injection duration, respectively. The optimal scan delays of the arterial and pancreatic parenchymal phase in multi-phase CT scan using fixed scan delay or bolus-tracking should be determined with consideration of the injection duration.

Clinical trial of diltiazem on dystrophic calcinosis cutis in a dog / 대한수의학회지

Dystrophic calcinosis cutis associated with spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism was diagnosed in a 8-year-old female Chihuahua dog with erythematous, erosive, numerous papules, plaques, and crusts on the bilateral trunk, and inguinal region. Serum biochemical abnormalities included increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and cholesterol. Radiographs showed mild hepatomegaly and subcutaneous lobulated calcific deposits. Histopathologic examination demonstrated diffuse deposition of basophilic calcified material in the dermis. Von Kossa's stain confirmed calcium deposition. Therapy with diltiazem was useful in resolving calcinosis.

Longissimus lumborum muscle metastasis from mammary gland adenocarcinoma in a dog / 대한수의학회지

An 8-year-old female, German Shepherd dog was presented with history of dyspnea and seizure. One Year Previously a lumpectomy had been performed for surgical resection of mammary mass. In serum chemistry, severe hypoglycemia and elevation of aspartate aminitransferase and creatine kinase were shown. In thoracic radiography, there were variable sized nodules in the overall lung field. On computed tomography examination, the mass was shown in left longissimus lumborum muscle. Histopathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma derived from the mammary gland. Muscular metastasis of mammary gland tumor is uncommon. This is a rare observation and could easily be overlooked or misinterpreted.

Therapy by traditional veterinary medicine in a case with canine fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy / 대한수의학회지

A 6-year old, female, Schnauzer dog with chief complaint of tetraparesis was referred to the Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital of Chungnam National University. On physical examination, neulologic examinations and magnetic resonance imaging, this patient was diagnosed into fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy. Although conventional treatment such as prednisolone, cefotaxime and enrofloxacin revealed no improvement, this patient showed favorable therapeutic response by combined therapy with aquapuncture with prednisolone, modified moxibustion, herbal medicine and massage.

Assessment of experimental saccular aneurysm using selective angiography in common carotid artery of rabbits / 대한해부학회지

In order to study the treatment of aneurysms, the technique of making experimental aneurysms in laboratory animals must be established. In our study, to examine the feasibility of making experimental aneurysm and selective angiography on the common carotid artery in rabbits and to determine the size of experimental aneurysm after surgery, saccular aneurysms were fashioned on the right common carotid artery in 17 rabbits using a vein pouch technique. Selective angiography of the common carotid artery was performed immediately after surgery, and at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after surgery. Also, histological changes in the aneurysms were observed. In 16 rabbits with established successful experimental aneurysm, no differences were found in diet intake and behavior before and after surgery. The patency of the carotid artery was confirmed by selective angiography. The average size of the aneurysm immediately after surgery was similar to that of 1 week postoperatively in selective angiography, however it increased with time at 4weeks and 8 weeks. Histologically, infiltration of inflammatory cells and hemorrhage were found at the junction of the carotid artery and the vein pouch at 1 week, which disappeared at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. This study suggests experimental saccular aneurysm using the vein pouch technique might form aneurysms similar to that of the human in its properties such as increment of size, and selective angiography might be suitable for assessment of experimental aneurysm. Therefore, this animal model may be suitable for investigating new treatment methodologies for human aneurysms.

Functional recovery and neural differentiation after transplantation of allogenic adipose-derived stem cells in a canine model of acute spinal cord injury

In this study, we evaluated if the implantation of allogenic adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) improved neurological function in a canine spinal cord injury model. Eleven adult dogs were assigned to three groups according to treatment after spinal cord injury by epidural balloon compression: C group (no ASCs treatment as control), V group (vehicle treatment with PBS), and ASC group (ASCs treatment). ASCs or vehicle were injected directly into the injured site 1 week after spinal cord injury. Pelvic limb function after transplantation was evaluated by Olby score. Magnetic resonance imaging, somatosensory evoked potential (SEP), histopathologic and immunohistichemical examinations were also performed. Olby scores in the ASC group increased from 2 weeks after transplantation and were significantly higher than C and V groups until 8 weeks (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the C and V groups. Nerve conduction velocity based on SEP was significantly improved in the ASC group compared to C and V groups (p < 0.05). Positive areas for Luxol fast blue staining were located at the injured site in the ASC group. Also, GFAP, Tuj-1 and NF160 were observed immunohistochemically in cells derived from implanted ASCs. These results suggested that improvement in neurological function by the transplantation of ASCs in dogs with spinal cord injury may be partially due to the neural differentiation of implanted stem cells.

Laparoscopy vs. laparotomy for embryo transfer to produce transgenic goats (Capra hircus)

This study was performed to produce transgenic Korean native goat (Capra hircus) by laparoscopic embryo transfer (ET) to overcome the limitations of ET performed by laparotomy. Transgenic embryos were produced by DNA pronuclear microinjection of in vivo zygotes. The recipient goats were synchronized for estrus by using an introvaginal progesterone devices as a controlled internal drugreleasing insert (CIDR) for 13 days and injection of 400 IU PMSG 48 h before removal of the insert. Embryos were transferred on day 3 and 4 after removal of the insert. Recipient goats were deprived of feed for 48 h, then suspended in a laparotomy cradle at an angle of 45degrees. After obtaining a sufficient pneumoperitoneum, the laparoscope and forceps were inserted abdominally through 5 mm trocar sleeves. Examination of the ovaries and uterus was performed and then 213 embryos were transferred into the oviducts via the infundibula of 76 recipient goats. To compare pregnancy rates, ET was also performed by laparotomy in 82 recipient goats. The pregnancies in the recipient goats were diagnosed by ultrasound on day 30 after embryo transfer. The pregnancy rate with laparoscopic ET was significantly higher than with ET performed by laparotomy (46.1% vs. 28.6%, p < 0.05). In addition, the pregnancy rates were compared between ovulated and non-ovulated ovaries of the recipient goats in the laparoscopic ET group. No significant difference was observed between the pregnancy rates of ovulated and non-ovulated ovaries (41.3% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.05) suggesting that ET may also be possible in non-ovulated recipients through artificial rupture of Graafian follicles. These results suggest that laparoscopic ET is a highly efficient method for the transfer of goat embryos.

Transplantation of canine umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells in experimentally induced spinal cord injured dogs

This study was to determine the effects of allogenicumbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stemcells (MSCs) and recombinant methionyl humangranulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rmhGCSF) on acanine spinal cord injury model after balloon compressionat the first lumbar vertebra. Twenty-five adult mongreldogs were assigned to five groups according to treatmentafter a spinal cord injury: no treatment (CN); salinetreatment (CP); rmhGCSF treatment (G); UCB-MSCstreatment (UCB-MSC); co-treatment (UCBG). The UCB-MSCs isolated from cord blood of canine fetuses wereprepared as 10(6) cells/150microl saline. The UCB-MSCs weredirectly injected into the injured site of the spinal cord andrmhGCSF was administered subcutaneously 1 week afterthe induction of spinal cord injury. The Olby score,magnetic resonance imaging, somatosensory evokedpotentials and histopathological examinations were used toevaluate the functional recovery after transplantation. TheOlby scores of all groups were zero at the 0-week evaluation.At 2 week after the transplantation, the Olby scores in thegroups with the UCB-MSC and UCBG were significantlyhigher than in the CN and CP groups. However, there wereno significant differences between the UCB-MSC andUCBG groups, and between the CN and CP groups. Thesecomparisons remained stable at 4 and 8 week aftertransplantation. There was significant improvement in thenerve conduction velocity based on the somatosensory evokedpotentials. In addition, a distinct structural consistency ofthe nerve cell bodies was noted in the lesion of the spinalcord of the UCB-MSC and UCBG groups. These resultssuggest that transplantation of the UCB-MSCs resulted inrecovery of nerve function in dogs with a spinal cord injuryand may be considered as a therapeutic modality for spinalcord injury.

In Situ ESWL with Ultrasonographic Targeting System in the Patient with Mid Ureter Stone / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ESWL has become the most widely advocated procedure for urinary calculi because of its minimal invasiveness and high effectiveness. Unfortunately, so far most urologist use push-up or push-down technique in the treatment of mid ureter stone with ESWL. Herein, we tried in situ ESWL with ultrasonographic targeting system (Lithostar ultra, Siemens Co., Germany) in 74 mid ureter stone patients. We could target the stone in 71 out of 74 patients (71/74, 95.6%) in semilateral position in the patients with upper half of mid ureter stone or in supine position in the patients with lower half of mid ureter stone The stone was successfully removed in sixty eight patients and the success rate was 9l.1% (68/ 74). The number of treatment session was 1 to 5 (mean 1.3+/-0.8) and the duration was 20-150 minutes (mean 46.4+/-19.7 minutes). Complications were gross hematuria in 5 cases(7.0%), severe colicky pain in 2 cases (2.8%). In conclusion, we think in situ ESWL with ultrasonographic targeting system is a recommendable treatment of modality in mid ureter stone patients.