Occult metastatic intestinal adenocarcinoma resulting in pathological fracture of the proximal humerus.

Intestinal adenocarcinomas are rare but have been described in the literature. The present case is unusual in both its clinical presentation and in the distribution of metastatic lesions. The sequestrum formation and pathological fracture present are most commonly associated with osteomyelitis in horses and the details of the case highlight the need for differential diagnosis in these particular circumstances and of which clinicians should be aware.

In vitro effects of epidermal growth factor or insulin-like growth factor on tenoblast migration on absorbable suture material.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) or insulin-like growth factor (IGF) on tenoblast migration on absorbable suture material using an in vitro model. STUDY DESIGN: An in vitro evaluation of tenoblast migration. ANIMAL OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Segments of the long digital flexor tendon were obtained from Cobb chickens (9-11 weeks old) immediately after the birds were euthanatized. METHODS: Tissue culture explants of tendons containing absorbable suture material were treated with either EGF or IGF. Tenoblast migration was assessed daily using an inverted microscope equipped with bright field and phase optics. Tenoblast migration was assessed according to the following criteria: time of first cell appearance, percent of explant interfaces producing cells, migration distance, and terminal migration index at 120 and 168 hours. RESULTS: EGF had a stimulatory effect on tenoblast migration for cells originating from the endotenon interfaces. No significant effect was noted on migration distance for cells originating from epitenon interfaces. A stimulatory effect on the percentage of interfaces producing cells and a significant decrease in time of first cell appearance were also observed after EGF treatment. IGF-stimulated cell migration distance for epitenon interfaces but this stimulatory effect did not occur at a higher concentration. IGF was inhibitory to percent of epitenon and endotenon interfaces producing cells but decreased time of first cell appearance at low concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Using an in vitro model, EGF had a stimulatory effect on tenoblast migration. IGF was stimulatory at low concentration levels but inhibitory at a higher concentration. Increased migration distance was observed for endotenon interfaces after EGF treatment and for epitenon interfaces after IGF treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: EGF or IGF might enhance tendon repair if they could be delivered to the repair site. Incorporation of EGF or IGF into suture material would allow slow release and prolonged exposure of migrating tenoblasts to growth factors.

A comparison of nylon, polybutester, and polyglyconate suture materials for long digital flexor tenorrhaphy in chickens.

Digital flexor tenorrhaphies were performed in 32 8-week-old chickens with polyglyconate, polybutester, or nylon. There was no difference in maximum loads to failure at weeks 4 or 8. Polyglyconate and polybutester tenorrhaphies were significantly stronger at week 8 than all tenorrhaphies at week 4. Nylon tenorrhaphies at week 8 were not significantly stronger than any tenorrhaphy at week 4. The tenorrhaphies consistently had immature scars at week 4 and more mature scars at week 8. Scar maturity was not appreciably different between any of the suture materials at week 4 or week 8. There was no apparent difference in tissue reactivity to any of the suture materials at weeks 4 or 8.

Arthrographic analysis of communication between the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints of the horse.

The intra-articular anatomy of 103 equine tarsi was studied by contrast radiography with image intensification and computerized tomography. There was communication between the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints in 21 of 55 (38%) interpretable tarsometatarsal arthrograms, and in 11 of 48 (23%) interpretable distal intertarsal arthrograms. The difference was not significant. The volume of contrast agent and the pressure of injection did not correlate with communication. Forced injection caused subcutaneous leakage of contrast medium but not communication. Communication occurred via the tarsal canal and the space between the third and the combined first and second tarsal bones. Injection of the distal intertarsal joint from the dorsomedial aspect of the limb, distal to the palpable distal border of the medial branch of the tendon of the tibialis cranialis muscle and between the central, third, and combined first and second tarsal bones, provided reliable access except in the presence of severe periosteal proliferations.

Healing of transected equine superficial digital flexor tendons with and without tenorrhaphy.

Healing of transected superficial digital flexor tendons was evaluated mechanically and histologically in eight horses. Tendons sutured with polyglyconate had higher loads at failure than nonsutured tendons at weeks 5 and 9. The tendon stress at failure (force per unit area) was higher in the sutured tendons at week 5 but not at week 9, reflecting the increased size of the scar at week 9. Histologically, scars after tenorrhaphy were consistently more mature than nonsutured tenotomy scars. The mean maturity score for sutured tendons was higher than for nonsutured tendons at weeks 5 and 9. Overall, these data support tenorrhaphy with absorbable suture.

Strength characteristics and failure modes of locking-loop and three-loop pulley suture patterns in equine tendons.

Size 3-0 polydioxanone was used as a single strand, single braid (3 strands), or double braid (6 strands) to create six suture material-pattern combinations for equine tenorrhaphy: single-strand locking loop, single-braid locking loop, double-braid locking loop, single-strand three-loop pulley, single-braid three-loop pulley, and double-braid three-loop pulley. Maximum load to failure for the single-strand locking loop (46.1 +/- 2.9 newtons [N]) was less than for all other sutures (range, 103-155 N). The load required to form a 2 mm gap between tendon ends was greater for the single-braid three-loop pulley (66.7 +/- 6.9 N) and double-braid three-loop pulley (85.4 +/- 17.7 N) than any other sutures. The load required to produce a 10 mm gap was least for the single-strand locking loop (34.3 +/- 3.9 N) and greatest for the double-braid three-loop pulley (131.5 +/- 27.5 N). Gap between tendon ends at maximum load was greater for the single-braid (18.1 +/- 0.9 mm) and double-braid (19.2 +/- 2.2 mm) locking loops than for any other sutures. Suture material broke in 53% of the locking-loop tests but in only 17% of the three-loop pulley tests. Tendon matrix disruption accounted for 43% of the locking-loop failures and 77% of the three-loop pulley failures. The three-loop pulley pattern provided more support, less tendon distraction, and less tendon matrix constriction and distortion than the locking-loop pattern.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Diagnostic ultrasonography for evaluation of cryptorchidism in horses.

The location and size of 11 retained testes were accurately determined ultrasonographically. There was 100% correlation between the location of the testis determined by ultrasound vs that determined by surgery. Testicular size determined presurgically in all cases closely approximated the actual size obtained by gross measurement of the excised testis. The cryptorchid testicular echotexture was less dense than that of the normal descended testicles, but was easily identified. Ultrasonographic evaluations were completed by use of an ultrasound base unit with attached 5-MHz transrectal transducer. Rectal scans were started at the pelvic brim and continued in a to-and-fro pattern between the midline and the lateral abdominal wall. When the testis was located, the image was froze to allow measurement. All testicular locations were ascertained ultrasonographically either by rectal or external inguinal scans.

Treatment of lacerated flexor tendons in a dairy cow, using specialized farriery.

A heel extension shoe was used as an adjunct to primary tendon repair in a dairy cow. A shoe was placed on the foot for 6 weeks after the foot had been immobilized for 6 weeks in a cast. The shoe was continuous across the toes to provide even support for both claws and was nailed and clinched in the same way a shoe is applied to a horse's hoof. Special adaptations included drilling nail holes closer to the rim of the shoe to accommodate the narrower bovine hoof wall. The cow was permitted controlled exercise for gradual remodeling and strengthening of the tendon repair. When the shoe was removed 12 weeks after surgery, the metatarsophalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints were in normal posture. We consider application of a therapeutic shoe to be an important adjunct to surgical repair of major tendon injuries in adult cattle.

Experimental evaluation of absorbable copolymer staples for hysterectomy.

Absorbable copolymer staples of three different variants were tested for retention of tensile strength after implantation into the peritoneal cavity of rats. One type maintained tensile strength for two weeks, but then lost it rapidly over the next week. The same three staple compounds were further compared after use for vaginal vault closure during ovariohysterectomy in adult sheep. In all ewes the absorbable staples were effective in providing a stable vaginal cuff closure. The postoperative tissue reaction was minimal. The goal of developing an absorbable staple that would degrade rapidly without compromising wound stability was achieved.

Transendoscopic electrosurgery for epiglottal entrapment in the horse.

Monopolar electrosurgical cutting was used to correct epiglottal entrapment in 5 horses. The operations were carried out in the conscious animal, using topical anesthesia. The procedure required the use of a coagulation electrode designed specifically for electrosurgery, introduced through the instrument channel of a fiberoptic endoscope. The results were satisfactory and serious complications were not encountered. In 2 horses, excessive submucosal swelling developed at the site of the surgical wound, and the tumefaction took several weeks to subside in one of these horses. In both horses, the long-term outcome was a minor degree of reentrapment. The main advantages of this technique, compared with other corrective procedures, related to the avoidance of the need for general anesthesia and laryngotomy, allowing racehorses to be treated without any major interruption in their training schedules. The surgery was simple, rapid, and bloodless, and was not followed by any dorsal displacement of the soft palate. It was suggested that transendoscopic electrosurgery has potential for use in the treatment of a number of other diseases of the respiratory tract and other systems, both in the horse and in other species. In the equine respiratory tract, the technique might usefully be applied to the treatment of guttural pouch tympany, soft palate cysts, nasopharyngeal polyps, choanal atresia, subepiglottic cysts, and tracheal granulomata. A review of 21 cases of epiglottal entrapment in horses revealed no evidence to support the suggestion that dorsal displacement of the soft palate is a cause of epiglottal entrapment or vice-versa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pedal bone rotation as a prognostic sign in laminitis of horses.

We reviewed 91 cases of laminitis in horses admitted to the Michigan State University Veterinary Clinical Center between Jan 1, 1973 and Dec. 30, 1978. From information in the case records and from the results of a telephone questionnaire, cases were classified into 4 categories on the basis of return to athletic function. The degree of pedal bone rotation was inversely correlated with return to athletic performance. Horses with less than 5.5 degrees rotation returned to former athletic function, whereas horses with more than 11.5 degrees rotation lost their use as performance animals. Ponies had significantly more pedal bone rotation, when compared with horses.