Cartilage thickness and split-line pattern at the canine humeral trochlea.

OBJECTIVE: To characterise the humeral trochlea in middle to large breed dogs in respect to split-line pattern and cartilage thickness. METHODS: In 15 paired cadaveric elbow joints of mature dogs (>20 kg body weight) collagen network orientation of the hyaline cartilage of the humeral trochlea was visualised using a traditional split-line technique in which a dissecting needle dipped in India ink was inserted into the cartilage (n = 10). Cartilage thickness was measured radiographically on osteochondral plugs harvested at four representative locations within the joint surface of the humeral trochlea (n = 15). RESULTS: The joint surface of the humeral trochlea showed a distinct pattern of centripetally oriented split-lines with less pronounced or even absent split-lines caudo- proximally towards the olecranon fossa. Median cartilage thickness at the canine humeral trochlea was 0.51 mm (interquartile range: 0.42 - 0.61 mm). Centrally, at the region where osteochondrosis lesions commonly occur in middle to large breed dogs, the median cartilage thickness was 0.55 mm (interquartile range: 0.48 - 0.62 mm). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: When focusing on anatomical joint resurfacing while performing osteochondral transplantation at the canine humeral trochlea, transplants should be implanted such that their split-lines are oriented centripetally. Hyaline cartilage thickness of transferred grafts should be in the range of half a millimetre to optimally match the situation at the canine humeral trochlea.

[Stifle stability after lateral suture stabilisation using Ethibond Excel®: early destabilisation following cyclic passive joint motion]. / Kniegelenkstabilität nach lateraler Fadenzügelung mit Ethibond Excel®: frühzeitige Destabilisierung nach passiver Gelenkbewegung.

OBJECTIVE: 1) To report cranio-caudal stifle stability (ccStab) following lateral suture stabilisation (LSS) and passive joint motion. 2) To report tension within the suture following knotting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ccStab was measured in vitro on latero-medial radiographs in 10 stifles of orthopaedically sound dogs (> 20 kg BW). ccStab was assessed in the intact joint, after transection of the cranial cruciate ligament and following LSS using a multi strand Ethibond loop and clamped square knots, as well as after 50, 100, 250 and 350 cycles of passive joint motion. Tension within seven suture loops was measured using a material testing machine. Tension was measured after the first (FMax) and last knot (FEnd). RESULTS: ccStab following LSS was 3.7 mm und was greater by 2.7 mm than with intact cruciate ligament. Already 250 passive cycles of passive joint motion induced significant destabilisation by 1.5 mm. FMax was 133 N und dropped to 6 N (FEnd) after completion of the last knot. CONCLUSION: LSS using Ethibond and clamped square knots do not allow for restoration of physiological stifle stability. Already few cycles of passive joint motion further destabilise the joint. One of the reasons for these disappointing results is the method of suture fixation as clamped square knots did not allow for conservation of initial loop tension. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: LSS using a multi strand Ethibond loop and clamped square knots should be avoided.

[Radiographic location of the tibial cranial cruciate ligament attachment in middle- to large breed dogs]. / Röntgenologische Lage des vorderen Kreuzbandansatzes bei mittel- und großwüchsigen Hunden.

OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the radiographic cranio-caudal (cc) and medio-lateral (ml) location of the tibial centroid of the attachment area of the CCL (ACCL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 46 tibiae from orthopedically healthy dogs (22-50kg) the tibial plateau was stripped of all soft tissue, degreased with acetone and the contour of the ACCL was marked with ink stain. The CCL was completely resected and one pin each was placed at the most medial, lateral, cranial and caudal extensions of the ACCL. On digital images of each tibial plateau the previously marked contour of the ACCL was traced. Using custom-made image analysis software the two-dimensional centroid of the ACCL was determined and transferred to standard radiographs in two planes of each tibia. The cc location of the centroid of the ACCL was measured starting at the intercondylar tubercles. The proximal tibial extension (TibEx) was obtained and linear regression analysis was applied to develop a mathematical first order equation for the calculation of the cc location of the centroid based on the proximal tibial depth in the individual stifle. The ml location of the centroid was measured in relation to the medial intercondylar tubercle. RESULTS: A statistically significant (p<0.001) correlation was found between the TibEx and the anatomical cc location of the centroid. Linear regression analysis revealed a first order linear equation for calculation of the individual cc location of the centroid in mm to be: 0.28 x TibEx - 4 in mm with an R2 of 0.83. The median ml location of the centroid in relation to the medial intercondylar tubercle was 0mm whereas 90% were located 1 mm medial and 1 mm lateral to the medial intercondylar tubercle. CONCLUSION: The radiographic location of the centroid of the ACCL can be individually determined on standard stifle radiographs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: With the help of these data the location of a tibial drill tunnel in anatomic reconstruction of the ruptured CCL may be evaluated either intra-operatively with fluoroscopy or postoperatively on two plane standard stifle radiographs and the placement could be corrected when necessary.

Sensitivity and specificity of arthroscopic estimation of positive and negative radio-ulnar incongruence in dogs. An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of arthroscopic estimation of positive and negative radio-ulnar incongruence (RUI) in the canine elbow joint. METHODS: Experimental radial shortening and lengthening by 1 and 2 mm increments were performed in nine right elbow joints, extending an established surgical in vitro model of RUI. Arthroscopic estimation of each artificially produced radio-ulnar joint conformation (RUJC) was done using a graduated hook probe. A total of 72 RUJC were blindly evaluated in a random manner by an independent investigator and estimated in 1 mm increments (-2, -1, 0, +1, +2). RESULTS: The sensitivity for identification of an incongruent joint was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.90 to 0.99). The specificity for identification of a congruent joint was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.98). Analysing the data only in respect to a congruent joint versus one with a shortened radius (positive RUI) resulted in a sensitivity of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.80 to 0.99) and a specificity of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.92 to 1.00). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Accurate estimation of RUI in dogs affected by elbow dysplasia might improve functional outcome and prevent osteoarthritis when corrective or modifying osteotomies are being considered as part of the treatment plan. Arthroscopy has been shown to be highly accurate and precise in detecting both positive and negative RUI in vitro. However, its diagnostic strength under clinical conditions still has to be proven.

Cerebellar cortical degeneration with selective granule cell loss in Bavarian mountain dogs.

Three Bavarian mountain dogs aged between 18 and 20 months, not related to each other, were presented with chronic signs of cerebellar dysfunction. On sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging brain images, the tentative diagnosis of cerebellar hypoplasia was established based on an enlarged cerebrospinal fluid space around the cerebellum and an increased cerebrospinal fluid signal between the folia. Post-mortem examination was performed in one dog and did show an overall reduction of cerebellar size. On histopathologic examination, a selective loss of cerebellar granule cells with sparing of Purkinje cells was evident. Therefore, the Bavarian mountain dog is a breed where cerebellar cortical degeneration caused by the rather exceptional selective granule cell loss can be seen as cause of chronic, slowly progressive cerebellar dysfunction starting at an age of several months.

Liposuction--removal of giant lipomas for weight loss in a dog with severe hip osteoarthritis.

An extremely obese, mixed breed dog, with severe bilateral hip osteoarthritis was presented with progressive hindlimb lameness. In addition, three giant lipomas were diagnosed, one causing mechanical irritation within the left axillary region. Previous treatments of dietary weight loss and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs had failed. Minimally invasive liposuction of the lipomas was performed, resulting in weight loss of 3 kg, representing 10 per cent of the dog's bodyweight. Conservative treatment was continued, and the dog improved rapidly postoperatively. Liposuction of lipomas may be considered as an alternative to traditional surgical resection in cases where seroma formation and delayed wound healing may be expected. Acute weight loss through liposuction may improve lameness associated with osteoarthritis and motivate the owner compliance for further weight loss.

Histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations of hepatic lesions associated with congenital portosystemic shunt in dogs.

Canine livers with congenital portosystemic shunt were investigated histopathologically and immunohistochemically before and 8-272 days after partial ligation of the shunt. Lesions included hypoplasia of portal veins, arteriolar and ductular proliferation, lymphangiectasis, mild to moderate fibrosis, fatty cysts, and mostly mild hepatocellular damage with frequent atrophy and steatosis, regardless of the location of the shunting vessel. Perisinusoidal hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in normal canine liver expressed alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), but no desmin. In altered livers, however, raised expression of alpha-SMA was detected, together with expression of desmin, in varying numbers of HSCs. This was interpreted as a sign of cellular proliferation and transformation to myofibroblast-like cells. Additionally, there was an obvious perisinusoidal increase of several extracellular matrix components. Postoperative biopsy samples showed basically the same lesions as those of pre-operative samples, except that signs of resolution of hepatic changes were apparent.

High-dose-rate brachytherapy for intranasal tumours in dogs: results of a pilot study.

This prospective study describes the feasibility and toxicity of (192)Iridium high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy as an alternative strategy for the treatment of canine intranasal tumours. Fifteen dogs with malignant intranasal tumours were treated twice weekly using a hypofractionated protocol with eight fractions, 5 Gy per fraction, resulting in a total dose of 40 Gy. Acute and chronic adverse side-effects appeared to be rare. Only 7% of the acute side-effects and 5% of the chronic were classified as severe (grade 3). Eight dogs showed clinical complete remission, and five dogs had partial remission, with a resolution of tumour-related symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a reduced tumour mass in 12 cases. Median survival time was 17 months (range 4-48 months), with four dogs (three without disease) still alive. Median time to recurrence of these dogs was 14 months. In nine dogs, progression or recurrence of the tumour was the cause of death. This study suggests that HDR brachytherapy is feasible and well tolerated.

Spinal arachnoid pseudocysts in 10 rottweilers.

Ten rottweilers presenting with spinal arachnoid pseudocysts were investigated. In six dogs, the lesions were localised dorsally at C2-C3; in three dogs, dorsally and ventrally at C5-C6; and, in one dog, dorsally and ventrally at C6-C7. Clinical signs were consistent with focal compression of the affected spinal cord segments. The animals showed ataxia of all four limbs, with truncal ataxia and marked hypermetria in cases of C2-C3 involvement, or ambulatory tetraparesis in cases of C5-C6 or C6-C7 involvement. Other than signs indicative of spina bifida in one dog, no abnormalities could be detected on plain radiographs. Myelography was used to define the localisation and extent of the pseudocysts. Additional information was obtained using magnetic resonance imaging in five dogs. Five dogs underwent a dorsal laminectomy; in three cases, the pseudocyst was treated by marsupialisation and, in two, by durectomy.

[Somatotropic pituitary adenoma with lesions of the oculomotor nerve in a cat]. / Somatotropes Hypophysenadenom mit Läsion des N. oculomotorius bei einer Katze.

A case of a 6.5-year-old castrated male European Shorthair Cat with an unilateral lesion of the oculomotor nerve is described. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass in the area of the pituitary gland which could be identified as a somatotrope adenoma by immunochemistry. Unlike the feline somatotrope adenoma cases described in the literature this cat showed clinically no acromegalic features or hyperglycemia. An oculomotor nerve lesion in conjunction with a feline somatotropic pituitary adenoma has also not been described before.

[Myopathy due to potassium deficiency in eight cats and a dog]. / Myopathie infolge Kaliummangels bei acht Katzen und einem Hund.

Eight cats and one dog with signs of cervical ventroflexion, reluctance to walk, a stiff and stilted gait and muscle weakness are introduced. Though blood potassium concentration was very low (< 3.0 mval/l) in one cat and the dog only, a potassium depletion myopathy was assumed as the cause of these symptoms. Two of three cats had elevated values of the urinary fractional potassium excretion compared to ten healthy cats. Blood creatinine values were within normal ranges. Five of seven cats had elevated creatine kinase values. All animals improved after potassium substitution. Causes of potassium depletion are discussed and differential diagnoses of myopathies are briefly mentioned.

[Cytology of the cerebrospinal fluid in dogs with brain tumors and spinal cord compression. Part 4]. / Zytologie des Liquor cerebrospinalis bei Hirntumoren und Rückenmarkskompressionen des Hundes. Teil 4.

The results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology of 9 dogs with brain tumors and 50 dogs with spinal cord compression are discussed. Of the 50 dogs with spinal cord compression, disc protrusion was diagnosed in 31, myelomalacia in 7, discospondylitis in 3 and spinal cord tumors in 9 dogs. In 4 of 9 dogs with brain tumors, tumor cells could be found by the sedimentation apparatus of Kölmel. Pleocytosis existed in 6 patients. In about 70% (29 of 41) of cases with disc protrusion, more than 200 cells could be evaluated in the CSF sediment, consisting mostly of transformed lymphocytes and activated monocytes. As the neurologic deficits increased, the amount of cells and especially cell complexes increased. This was especially evident in cases with myelomalacia of the spinal cord. Only in cases with discospondylitis or spinal cord neoplasia was the CSF cytology unchanged.

[Cytology of the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs and cats with symptoms of meningitis/meningoencephalitis. Part 3]. / Zytologie des Liquor cerebrospinalis von Hund und Katze bei Symptomen einer Meningitis/Meningoenzephalomyelitis. Teil 3.

A review of the literature of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology of different forms of meningitis/meningoencephalomyelitis in dogs and cats is given. Eight dogs and three cats with signs of meningitis/meningoencephalitis are presented. Four dogs and one cat improved to normal for 1-3 years. The results of CSF cytology of cases whose etiology could not be determined are compared with those of thirteen dogs with distemper. In 8 of 13 sediments eosinophilic inclusions in monocytes and macrophages were found.

[Cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs and cats. Part 2]. / Zellen im Liquor cerebrospinalis von Hund und Katze. Teil 2.

Three groups of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cells can be formed: 1. cells of the normal CSF, such as monocytes, small lymphocytes and occasionally cells of the ventricle system, 2. cells found in dogs and cats with neurologic disorders, such as reactive monocytes and lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils in addition to cells of the first group, 3. neoplastic cells. The different cells are introduced and their origin, function and occurrence are discussed. Mitotic figures, degenerated cells and artefacts are also mentioned.

[Experiences with a sedimentation technique for the enrichment of cerebrospinal fluid cells in the dog and cat. Part 1]. / Erfahrungen mit einem Sedimentier-verfahren zur Anreicherung von Liquorzellen bei Hund und Katze. Teil 1.

The differentiation of cells of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gives valuable information about certain neurologic diseases. The sedimentation technique of Sayk modified by Kölmel is introduced and its application described. Cells of 300 samples of CSF from dogs and cats are evaluated. There were very good to reasonable results in 88% (263 of 300) of the samples. A comparison between cell number, morphology and protein content in 150 samples was performed. 90 CSF samples with normal cell count (less than or equal to 5/mm3, determined in the Fuchs-Rosenthal chamber) were compared with the cell yield after sedimentation. In 58% (52 of 90) of the samples more than 200 cells were found, in 13% (12 of 90) more than 800 could be differentiated. The results are compared with those of other methods mentioned in the literature.

[Lameness of the hindlimbs of the cat]. / Lähmungen der Hintergliedmassen bei der Katze.

About six to seven per cent of cats presented at the clinic show neurological signs. The largest group consists of traumatized cats. A complete neurological examination is essential for localizing the lesion and establishing a prognosis. Differential diagnosis for paraparesis/paraplegia of pelvic limbs in cats are discussed. Cats are demonstrated which had spinal cord trauma, disc protrusion, aortic thromboembolism and lumbosacral stenosis and the importance of the evaluation of x-rays, cerebrospinal fluid examination and myelography is stressed.

[The congenital portosystemic shunt in dogs and cats. I]. / Der angeborene portosystemische Shunt bei Hund und Katze. Teil 1.

An overview of the circulation of the liver and of the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy as a result of portal vascular anomalies is given. Clinical signs associated with portal systemic shunts are described on the basis of 16 cases, 14 dogs and 2 cats. These animals ranged in age at the time of presentation from 4 months to 7 years. The predominant abnormality observed were central nervous signs, which differed in severity. 15 animals showed a reduction in liver size. The different techniques of contrast angiography allowing demonstration of a portal systemic shunt are presented along with a discussion of the pros and cons of each. Additionally the significance of making portal venous pressure measurements prior to each angiography is also explained. In most cases mesenteric portography was chosen. Based on their location the anomalies could be categorized as intrahepatic (4 dogs) or extrahepatic (10 dogs, 2 cats). In both groups breeds of various size are represented. The extrahepatic shunts could be further described as portal-caval (n = 5), portal-phrenic (n = 4) and portal-azygos (n = 3). In five of the older animals angiography showed in addition some hepatic perfusion by the portal vein. Laboratory evaluation revealed increased resting blood ammonia concentrations (greater than 200-912 micrograms/100 ml) in all animals. Seven dogs had definitely subnormal BUN concentrations (less than 10 mg%) and ten dogs low total plasmaprotein levels (less than 5.4 g%). Free amino acids (24) were determined in four dogs and a lowered hepatic encephalopathy index (less than 1.64) was found. Medical palliative therapy to control the clinical signs is discussed. The only effective long term therapy is, however, surgery. The shunt vessel is narrowed so that a greater volume of portal blood reaches the liver. Experience gained from the surgical therapy of 14 animals is presented. Ten of these survived well without requiring further therapy at a later time. Finally the etiology, prognosis, and differential diagnosis are summarized.

[Congenital portosystemic shunt in dogs and cats]. / Der angeborene portosystemische Shunt bei Hund und Katze. Teil 2.

An overview of the circulation of the liver and of the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy as a result of portal vascular anomalies is given. Clinical signs associated with portal systemic shunts are described on the basis of 16 cases, 14 dogs and 2 cats. These animals ranged in age at the time of presentation from 4 months to 7 years. The predominant abnormality observed were central nervous signs, which differed in severity. The different techniques of contrast angiography allowing demonstration of a portal systemic shunt are presented along with a discussion of the pros and cons of each. Additionally the significance of making portal venous pressure measurements prior to each angiography is also explained. In most cases mesenteric portography was chosen. Based on their location the anomalies could be categorized as intrahepatic (4 dogs) or extrahepatic (10 dogs, 2 cats). In both groups breeds of various size are represented. The extrahepatic shunts could be further described as portal-caval (n = 5), portal-phrenic (n = 4) and portal-azygos (n = 3). In five of the older animals angiography showed in addition some hepatic perfusion by the portal vein. Laboratory evaluation revealed increased resting blood ammonia concentrations (greater than 200-912 micrograms/100 ml) in all animals. Seven dogs had definitely subnormal BUN concentrations (less than 10 mg%) and ten dogs low total plasma protein levels (less than 5.4 g%). Free amino acids (24) were determined in four dogs and a lowered hepatic encephalopathy index (less than 1.64) found. Medical palliative therapy to control the clinical signs is discussed. The only effective long term therapy is, however, surgery. The shunt vessel is narrowed so that a greater volume of portal blood reaches the liver. Experience gained from the surgical therapy of 14 animals is presented. Ten of these survived well without requiring further therapy at a later time. Finally the etiology, prognosis, and differential diagnosis are summarized.