Comparative investigation of bone mineral density using CT and DEXA in a canine femoral model.

Bone density measurements using computed tomography (CT) instead of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) are currently of great interest in human and veterinary medical research as it would be beneficial to use CT scans obtained for other indications also for determining bone density. For Hounsfield units (HU) measured with CT in specific regions of interests (ROIs) in one or several slice/s a correlation with bone mineral density (BMD) measured by DEXA in humans and dogs of between 0.44 and 0.77 is reported in the literature. In the present study, instead certain volumes of interest (VOIs) obtained by CT scan and the corresponding HU to the respective VOIs were compared with the bone mineral density of the corresponding areas measured by DEXA. The aim of the study was to investigate whether this procedure gives more accurate information about bone density of the bones as three-dimensional objects of the respective patient. Correlation between measured HU in the respective VOI and BMD measured with DEXA in the corresponding ROI showed a very good correlation of 0.93. Linear regression with R2 = 0.85 (p = 0.0262) was calculated. Except for VOI5, similar distribution of values and significant differences (p < 0.0001-0.0087) between ROIs/VOIs were detected. Determining HU for assessing bone mineral density in a certain volume provides more accurate results than those previously reported from two-dimensional (2D) CT measurements. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2667-2672, 2017.

Ligadura de ducto arterioso persistente en un cocker spaniel de dos meses de edad: reporte de caso / Persistent ductus arteriosus ligation in a two-months-old cocker spaniel: A case report / Ligadura de conduto arterioso persistente em um Cocker spaniel de dois meses de idade: repórter de caso

El presente artículo reporta el caso de una hembra canina cocker spaniel entera de dos meses de edad, que fue llevada a la Clínica para Pequeños Animales de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, con tos de seis días de evolución, poca ganancia de peso e historial de soplo cardiaco detectado con anterioridad en un centro veterinario. Tras realizar el examen médico, se perciben estertores en ambos campos pulmonares, aumento del reflejo tusígeno, pulso yugular positivo, un soplo cardiaco 6/6 y aumento del tiempo de llenado capilar. Se diagnostica la persistencia de ducto arterioso mediante ecocardiografía, por lo cual se plantea la ligadura del ducto como tratamiento definitivo. La paciente se recuperó satisfactoriamente del procedimiento quirúrgico sin tener ningún tipo de complicación; en el postoperatorio presentó tos que se resolvió a los pocos días con ayuda de un tratamiento con furosemida (2 mg/kg TID IM). Tres meses después de realizarse el procedimiento quirúrgico la paciente se encontraba clínicamente sana, sin ninguna manifestación de origen cardiaco.

This article reports the case of a two-months-old female cocker spaniel, who was taken to the Clinic for Small Animals at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, with a cough of six days of evolution, poor weight gain, and a history of heart murmur detected previously in a veterinary center. A medical examination evidenced crackles in both lung fields, increased cough reflex, positive jugular pulse, a 6/6 heart murmur, and increased capillary refill time. Persistent ductus arteriosus was diagnosed by echocardiography; for this reason, ductus ligation was suggested as definitive treatment. The patient satisfactorily recovered from the surgical procedure without any complications; she presented postoperative cough that resolved within a few days with the help of a treatment with furosemide (2 mg/kg IM TID). Three months after the surgical procedure, the patient was clinically healthy, without any symptom of cardiac origin.

O presente artigo reporta o caso de uma fêmea canina Cocker spaniel inteira de dois meses de idade, que foi levada à Clínica para Pequenos Animais da Universidade Nacional da Colômbia, com tosse de seis dias de evolução, pouco ganho de peso e historial de sopro cardíaco detectado com anterioridade em um centro veterinário. Após realizar o exame médico, se percebem estertores em ambos os campos pulmonares, aumento do reflexo da tosse, pulso jugular positivo, um sopro cardíaco 6/6 e aumento do tempo de enchimento capilar. Diagnostica-se a persistência de conduto arterioso mediante ecocardiografia, razão pela qual se cogita a ligadura do conduto como tratamento definitivo. A paciente se recuperou satisfatoriamente do procedimento cirúrgico sem ter nenhum tipo de complicação; no pós-operatório apresentou tosse que se resolveu aos poucos dias com ajuda de um tratamento com furosemida (2 mg/kg TID IM). Três meses após a realização do procedimento cirúrgico a paciente se encontrava clinicamente saudável, sem nenhuma manifestação de origem cardíaca.

Kinetic, kinematic, magnetic resonance and owner evaluation of dogs before and after the amputation of a hind limb.

BACKGROUND: The amputation of a limb is a surgical procedure that is regularly performed in small animal practice. In spite of several clinical reports indicating high owner satisfaction after limb amputation in dogs, an amputation is still very critically seen by the owners, and even by some veterinarians, due to the lack of accurate information about the recovery of amputee patients. Thus, the objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate, both objectively and subjectively, the recovery outcome of dogs undergoing a hind limb amputation. Twelve patients in which a hind limb amputation was scheduled were studied. Kinetic and kinematic gait analyses were performed before the amputation, and 10, 30, 90 and 120 days after surgery. Magnetic resonance (MR) examination of the contralateral stifle joint was performed before and 120 days after amputation. The subjective impressions of the owners were gathered at the same examination times of the gait analyses. RESULTS: Kinetic data showed a redistribution of the load to all remaining limbs after the amputation; ten days after the procedure patients had already established their new locomotory pattern. Kinematic data showed significant differences between sessions in the mean angle progression curves of almost all analyzed joints; however, the ranges of motion were very similar before and after the amputation, and remained constant in the subsequent sessions after the amputation. No changes in the signal intensity of the soft tissues evaluated, and no evidence of cartilage damage or osteoarthritis was seen on the MR examination of the contralateral stifle. Owners evaluated the results of the amputation very positively, both during and at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs had a quick adaptation after a hind limb amputation, and the adaptation process began before the amputation was performed. This happened without evidence of morphologic changes in the contralateral stifle joint, and with a very positive evaluation from the owner.

Evaluation of canine intervertebral disc degeneration in colour-coded computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Canine intervertebral disc degeneration can lead to intervertebral disc disease. Mild degenerative changes in the structure of the canine intervertebral disc can be identified in magnetic resonance images, whereas these changes are not visible in computed tomographic images. Therefore, one aim of this study was to detect whether colour-coded computed tomography enhances the visibility of mild degenerative changes in the canine disc structure compared to non-contrast computed tomography. Furthermore, the study aimed to detect if intervertebral disc degeneration could be classified with a higher reliability in colour-coded images than in non-contrast images. RESULTS: Computed tomographic image studies of 144 canine intervertebral discs were coloured using three different lookup tables. Canine intervertebral disc degeneration was evaluated by three observers using a 5-grade classification system and compared to the evaluation of non-contrast CT and MRI images. A moderate to almost perfect intraobserver and a moderate to substantial interobserver agreement were found depending on the used colour code. On comparing non-contrast and colour-coded CT significant differences were found by one observer only. Significant differences in evaluation were found in grading intervertebral disc degeneration in MRI and colour-coded CT. CONCLUSIONS: Intervertebral disc degeneration could not be classified with a higher reliability on colour-coded images compared to non-contrast images. Furthermore, colour-coded CT did not enhance the visibility of mild degenerative changes in disc structure compared to non-contrast CT. However, the better intraobserver agreement and the subjective impression of the observers highlighted that the usage of colour encoded CT data sets with a wide range of tonal values of few primary and secondary colours may facilitate evaluation.

"Disk extension beyond the interspace": an investigation into an alternative nomenclature in diagnostic imaging for displaced canine intervertebral disk material.

BACKGROUND: Displacement of canine intervertebral disk material can be seen directly in diagnostic imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic imaging. Canine intervertebral disk herniation can be differentiated into Hansen type 1 and 2 categories by clinical appearance, but anular- and nuclear disk material cannot be distinguished in computed tomographic images. Therefore, we hypothesized that the "Disk extension beyond the interspace"-nomenclature that describes the displacement by the disk contour might aid diagnosis. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of the "Disk extension beyond the interspace"-nomenclature in the evaluation of canine intervertebral disks via magnetic resonance and computed tomographic imaging. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance and computed tomographic images of 144 intervertebral disks of 43 dogs were evaluated by 3 observers with different degrees of experience from 2 institutions retrospectively. A substantial intraobserver agreement was found, while interobserver agreement was fair to moderate with significant differences in evaluation. Comparison of imaging methods showed a fair to moderate agreement without statistically significant differences in evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: DEBIT-nomenclature cannot be recommended for veterinary clinical usage yet. The largest variability was found in the evaluation of the bulged canine intervertebral disk. The observers' experience and the imaging method influenced DEBIT- evaluation only slightly, while training and working at different institutions influenced DEBIT-evaluation strongly.

Evaluation of thoracic limb loads, elbow movement, and morphology in dogs before and after arthroscopic management of unilateral medial coronoid process disease.

OBJECTIVE: To (1) evaluate thoracic limb loads and symmetry, and elbow function and morphology, before and after arthroscopic treatment of unilateral medial coronoid process disease (MCPD), and (2) determine if functional variables correlate with morphologic findings. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 14) with thoracic limb lameness. METHODS: Dogs were included when unilateral MCPD was confirmed as the cause of lameness. Kinetic analysis of both thoracic limbs, along with kinematic analysis and goniometry of both elbows were carried out before, and 60, 120, and 180 days after partial coronoidectomy by arthroscopy. Radiography and computed tomography of both elbows were performed before and 180 days after arthroscopy. RESULTS: A nonsignificant (P = .11) increase in the peak vertical loads (PFz), and a significant (P = .022) increase in the vertical impulse (iFz) applied by the affected limb were seen. Symmetry indices improved, with significant differences between sessions (PFz: P = .019; iFz: P = .003). Kinematic variables showed no significant differences, between sessions or when comparing both elbows within sessions. Goniometry revealed no significant differences between sessions, but some significant differences were identified when comparing both elbows within sessions. Osteophytosis and degree of lameness showed no correlation, before (rs = -0.077; P = .79) or after arthroscopy (rs = 0.27; P = .35). CONCLUSIONS: Kinetic variables improved after arthroscopy, without full restoration of function. Kinematic variables did not change significantly. Osteoarthritis and goniometric measurements in the affected joint worsened. Functional variables did not correlate with morphologic findings.

Diagnostic accuracy of a short-duration 3 Tesla magnetic resonance protocol for diagnosing stifle joint lesions in dogs with non-traumatic cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the preferred diagnostic tool to evaluate internal disorders of many joints in humans; however, the usefulness of MR imaging in the context of osteoarthritis, and joint disease in general, has yet to be characterized in veterinary medicine. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of short-duration 3 Tesla MR imaging for the evaluation of cranial and caudal cruciate ligament, meniscal and cartilage damage, as well as the degree of osteoarthritis, in dogs affected by non-traumatic, naturally-occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). Diagnoses made from MR images were compared to those made during surgical exploration. Twenty-one client-owned dogs were included in this study, and one experienced evaluator assessed all images. RESULTS: All cranial cruciate ligaments were correctly identified as ruptured. With one exception, all caudal cruciate ligaments were correctly identified as intact. High sensitivities and specificities were obtained when diagnosing meniscal rupture. MR images revealed additional subclinical lesions in both the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments and in the menisci. There was a "clear" statistical (kappa) agreement between the MR and the surgical findings for both cartilage damage and degree of osteoarthritis. However, the large 95% confidence intervals indicated that evaluation of cartilage damage and of degree of osteoarthritis is not clinically satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of cruciate ligament damage and meniscal tears could be accurately assessed using the MR images obtained with our protocol. However, in the case of meniscal evaluation, occasional misdiagnosis did occur. The presence of cartilage damage and the degree of osteoarthritis could not be properly evaluated.

Load redistribution in walking and trotting Beagles with induced forelimb lameness.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the load redistribution mechanisms in walking and trotting dogs with induced forelimb lameness. ANIMALS: 7 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES: Dogs walked and trotted on an instrumented treadmill to determine control values for peak and mean vertical force as well as vertical impulse for all 4 limbs. A small sphere was attached to the ventral pad of the right forelimb paw to induce a reversible lameness, and recordings were repeated for both gaits. Additionally, footfall patterns were assessed to test for changes in temporal gait variables. RESULTS: During walking and trotting, peak and mean vertical force as well as vertical impulse were decreased in the ipsilateral forelimb, increased in the contralateral hind limb, and remained unchanged in the ipsilateral hind limb after lameness was induced. All 3 variables were increased in the contralateral forelimb during trotting, whereas only mean vertical force and vertical impulse were increased during walking. Stance phase duration increased in the contralateral forelimb and hind limb during walking but not during trotting. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Analysis of the results suggested that compensatory load redistribution mechanisms in dogs depend on the gait. All 4 limbs should be evaluated in basic research and clinical studies to determine the effects of lameness on the entire body. Further studies are necessary to elucidate specific mechanisms for unloading of the affected limb and to determine the long-term effects of load changes in animals with chronic lameness.

Aislamiento de Cryptococcus neoformans var. Grubii en un felino domestico: reporte de caso / Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. Grubii in a domestic cat: a case report

Se halló evidencia clínica, citológica y serológica de una infección natural con Criptococcus en un felino criollo proveniente de la Mesa, Cundinamarca (Colombia). C. neoformans var. Grubii fue aislado del cultivo de secreciones nasales del paciente. Para el tratamiento especifico se utilizo fluconazol, que mostro buenos resultados a partir del primer mes de haber iniciado su administración