All about new bone.

New bone deposition, as detected radiographically, can provide a surprisingly large amount of diagnostic information, provided one takes a systematic approach to its analysis and interpretation. Not only is it possible to distinguish infection from trauma, but the specific appearance of new bone can often provide valuable insight into the age of the lesion, and help determine whether or not it is still active. This article explains a simplified radiographic method of new bone assessment.

Calving chain fractures. Radiographic assessment of healing.

Calving chain fractures are highly characteristic injuries that when treated by casting, exhibit a predictable healing pattern. By knowing how such fractures appear radiographically at 1, 2, and 3 months following injury, it is much easier to decide when the fracture has become strong enough to bear weight, thus avoiding recasting the leg. This article describes the appearance of calving chain fractures as they heal over time, and how they appear when they do not.

Gas. Radiographic indicator of infection.

Gas is probably the best single radiographic indicator of infection in cattle, especially in and around the digits. With high quality images and a high-intensity light, gas may be detected in small pockets within the soft tissues, effacing bone surfaces, or within joints. This article illustrates the varied radiographic appearances of gas associated with infection, and the radiographic projections that optimize its detection.

Osteochondrosis in cattle.

Osteochondrosis is a poorly understood condition that affects many species, including cattle. Its incidence is not fully appreciated in the cattle industry for many reasons. Most of the reports show a male, purebred predilection, but this may simply be a result of the typical population for which medical attention is sought. With the increasing value of female breeding stock, a less skewed distribution of the disease will most likely result. Distribution of lesions is similar to that in the horse, with the stifle and tarsus most commonly affected. Treatment is divided into medical and surgical options, but neither seem to be strikingly effective as of yet. Surgical techniques include arthroscopy and arthrotomy, and both have their complicating factors. How osteochondrosis as a disease will affect the cattle industry is still to be decided. If the incidence rate does increase with more animals being valued for their economic potential, then treatment options will surely be reevaluated and refined.

Bovine pneumonia. Its radiographic appearance.

Pneumonia is a common lung disease of cattle, but because so little time is devoted to the subject in introductory radiology courses, few veterinarians feel inclined to make thoracic images of calves suspected of having pneumonia, much less render a radiographic judgment in such cases. In actuality, however, the radiographic diagnosis of pneumonia is not that difficult, provided one knows what to look for and where to look for it; and is aware of how anatomic, physiologic, and technical variations may mimic lung disease. This article provides the reader with a simple and effective integrated approach to the radiographic diagnosis of pneumonia in calves.

Radiographic assessment of congenital heart disease in calves using silhouette analysis.

Comparatively assessing the cardiac silhouettes of calves with suspected congenital heart disease against normal controls provides veterinarians with an additional and often superior method of radiographic diagnosis.

Radiology of pharyngeal balling gun injuries.

Pharyngeal puncture caused by a balling gun can lead to severe infection and abscessation. Dysphagia and dyspnea soon follow if the injury goes undetected. Radiographically, pharyngeal compression, laryngeal and tracheal displacement, and extensive gas accumulation throughout the throat and cranial neck regions characterize these injuries. This article describes the typical radiographic appearance of this unique form of trauma.

Reticular foreign bodies. Causative or coincidence?

A radiographically identified penetrating reticular foreign body is a near-certain cause of traumatic reticulitis, parareticular abscessation, or peritonitis. An extrareticular wire or nail is the most likely cause of reticulitis or peritonitis in an animal with compatible clinical signs. An immobile reticular foreign body may be trapped in the reticular mucosa, penetrating a mucosal fold (but not the reticular wall), or piercing the wall of the reticulum.

Partial carpal arthrodesis in a calf with chronic infectious arthritis of the carpus and osteomyelitis of the carpal and metacarpal bones.

A calf was treated for chronic infectious arthritis and osteomyelitis of the carpus and metacarpus by carpal bone excision, debridement, and cancellous bone graft placement in the metacarpal medullary cavity. Following 6 weeks of limb immobilization, carpal-metacarpal arthrodesis was achieved. The heifer is pain free, and has produced 3 calves.