Surgical removal of an embolized intravenous catheter fragment from the axillobrachial vein of a dog.

An 8-month-old neutered male miniature Australian shepherd was examined for evaluation and treatment of suspected embolization of a peripheral intravenous catheter fragment. Embolism had occurred after the catheter cannula was accidentally cut during removal from the right cephalic vein. Radiographs showed migration of the fragment to the proximolateral right brachium. Surgical exploration, assisted by fluoroscopy, localized the fragment to the axillobrachial vein, where the tip was visualized within the vessel lodged against the wall. A venotomy was performed, allowing the fragment to be extracted from the peripheral vessel before it could migrate farther. The dog recovered from surgery without complication and was discharged the following day. Key clinical message: In the case reported here, the axillobrachial vein was a clinically important location on the migration path of a cephalic intravenous catheter embolus. Fluoroscopy allowed for quick localization of an embolized intravenous catheter fragment within a peripheral vein and directed open surgical retrieval of the foreign body. A peripheral catheter fragment can be retrieved surgically from a vein in a limb even when a tourniquet has not been applied immediately.

Ablation chirurgicale d'un fragment de cathéter intraveineux embolisé de la veine axillo-brachiale d'un chien. Un berger australien miniature mâle castré âgé de 8 mois a été examiné pour l'évaluation et le traitement d'une suspicion d'embolisation d'un fragment de cathéter intraveineux périphérique. L'embolie s'est produite après que la canule du cathéter fut accidentellement coupée lors du retrait de la veine céphalique droite. Les radiographies montraient une migration du fragment vers le brachium droit proximolatéral. L'exploration chirurgicale, assistée par fluoroscopie, a localisé le fragment au niveau de la veine axillo-brachiale, où la pointe a été visualisée à l'intérieur du vaisseau logé contre la paroi. Une veinotomie a été réalisée, permettant au fragment d'être extrait du vaisseau périphérique avant qu'il ne puisse migrer plus loin. Le chien a récupéré de la chirurgie sans complication et a été libéré le lendemain.Message clinique clé :Dans le cas rapporté ici, la veine axillo-brachiale était un emplacement cliniquement important sur la voie de migration d'une embolie par cathéter intraveineux céphalique. La fluoroscopie a permis la localisation rapide d'un fragment de cathéter intraveineux embolisé dans une veine périphérique et l'extraction chirurgicale ouverte dirigée du corps étranger. Un fragment de cathéter périphérique peut être extrait chirurgicalement d'une veine d'un membre même lorsqu'un garrot n'a pas été appliqué immédiatement.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Type III collagen modulates fracture callus bone formation and early remodeling.

Type III collagen (Col3) has been proposed to play a key role in tissue repair based upon its temporospatial expression during the healing process of many tissues, including bone. Given our previous finding that Col3 regulates the quality of cutaneous repair, as well as our recent data supporting its role in regulating osteoblast differentiation and trabecular bone quantity, we hypothesized that mice with diminished Col3 expression would exhibit altered long-bone fracture healing. To determine the role of Col3 in bone repair, young adult wild-type (Col3+/+) and haploinsufficent (Col3+/-) mice underwent bilateral tibial fractures. Healing was assessed 7, 14, 21, and 28 days following fracture utilizing microcomputed tomography (microCT), immunohistochemistry, and histomorphometry. MicroCT analysis revealed a small but significant increase in bone volume fraction in Col3+/- mice at day 21. However, histological analysis revealed that Col3+/- mice have less bone within the callus at days 21 and 28, which is consistent with the established role for Col3 in osteogenesis. Finally, a reduction in fracture callus osteoclastic activity in Col3+/- mice suggests Col3 also modulates callus remodeling. Although Col3 haploinsufficiency affected biological aspects of bone repair, it did not affect the regain of mechanical function in the young mice that were evaluated in this study. These findings provide evidence for a modulatory role for Col3 in fracture repair and support further investigations into its role in impaired bone healing.

Trauma-associated acute mesenteric ischemia in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the successful management of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) in a dog. CASE SUMMARY: An 11-year-old, 21.4kg, male castrated Rough-Coated Collie was referred for evaluation of an acute abdomen following sustaining injuries in a vehicular accident. On presentation to the hospital, clinicopathologic assessments were within normal limits and distended intestinal loops were evident on abdominal palpation. Plain and contrast radiography demonstrated diffusely distended gas-filled intestinal loops with a delayed barium transit time. Emergency surgical exploration was performed. The cecum and the proximal two-thirds of the colon were dark purple to black in color and there were no palpable pulses in the mesenteric arteries associated with the cecum and colon. The cecum and proximal two-thirds of the colon were resected and an ileocolic anastomosis was performed. The dog recovered well from surgery and was discharged 2 days later. Histopathologic examination was consistent with AMI. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: AMI is uncommonly reported in human medicine and is a rare complication from even minor blunt abdominal trauma. This is the first reported case of trauma-associated AMI in a dog.