Canine retrobulbar lipoma excision through a ventral transpalpebral anterior orbitotomy.

A 5-year-old spayed female German shepherd dog was referred for diagnostic evaluation and treatment of progressive exophthalmos, conjunctival hyperemia, and protrusion of the third eyelid of the left eye. Computed tomography revealed a retrobulbar mass of the orbit, exhibiting radio attenuation consistent with adipose tissue and well-defined margins. No evidence of metastasis was detected on thoracic radiographs or abdominal ultrasound. Cytological evaluation of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates was inconclusive. A ventral transpalpebral anterior orbitotomy approach facilitated excision of the abnormal retrobulbar tissue. Histopathology revealed mature adipose cells compatible with a lipoma. The patient regained normal appearance and function 3 months after surgery. Key clinical message: While rare, consider a lipoma as a differential diagnosis for a retrobulbar mass. The ventral transpalpebral orbitotomy has been described in only 3 cases in the veterinary literature, and this is the only known report of utilizing this approach for excision of a neoplastic condition.

Excision d'un lipome rétrobulbaire canin à travers une orbitotomie antérieure ventrale transpalpébrale. Une chienne Berger Allemand stérilisée âgée de 5 ans fut référée pour évaluation diagnostique et traitement d'exophtalmie progressive, d'hyperémie conjonctivale et de protrusion de la troisième paupière de l'oeil gauche. Un examen par tomodensitométrie révéla une masse rétrobulbaire de l'orbite, montrant de la radioatténuation compatible avec du tissu adipeux et des bordures bien définies. Aucune évidence de métastase ne fut détectée sur les radiographies thoraciques ou une échographie abdominale. Une évaluation cytologique d'aspirations écho-guidées à l'aiguille fine était non-concluante. Une orbitotomie antérieure par approche transpalpébrale ventrale facilita l'excision du tissu rétrobulbaire anormal. L'examen histopathologique mis en évidence des cellules adipeuses matures compatibles avec un lipome. Le patient retrouva une apparence et une fonction normales 3 mois après la chirurgie.Message clinique important :Bien que rare, un lipome doit être considéré comme un diagnostic différentiel lors de masse rétro-bulbaire. L'orbitotomie ventrale transpalpébrale a été décrite dans seulement trois cas dans la littérature vétérinaire, et le présent rapport est le seul connu utilisant cette approche pour l'excision d'une condition néoplasique.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Dual Bone Fixation: A Biomechanical Comparison of 3 Implant Constructs in a Mid-Diaphyseal Fracture Model of the Feline Radius and Ulna.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the biomechanical properties of dual bone fixation (DBF) constructs to radial locking compression plating (LCP) in an ex vivo feline antebrachial fracture gap model. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cadaveric feline antebrachii (n=12 pairs). METHODS: Antebrachii were radiographed to confirm normal skeletal appearance and maturity. After creation of a 5 mm radial and ulnar ostectomy, each antebrachium received 1 of 3 constructs using an incomplete randomized block design (n=8 per group). All groups received a 10 hole 2.0 mm radial LCP. DBF groups received either a 1.2 mm ulnar intramedullary pin (LCP with pin) or an 8 hole 2.0 mm ulnar LCP in addition to the radial LCP. Biomechanical testing was performed in axial compression and caudocranial and mediolateral 4-point bending before destruction in axial compression. RESULTS: DBF constructs (LCP with pin and dual LCP) were significantly stiffer than radial LCP alone in axial compression and caudocranial bending. There were no differences between LCP with pin and dual LCP constructs in axial compression and caudocranial bending or between any constructs in mediolateral bending. Failure load was significantly greater for dual LCP than LCP with pin or LCP alone constructs. Failure loads were not different between LCP with pin and LCP alone. CONCLUSION: DBF significantly increased construct stiffness and strength. Given the high complication rate reported in cat antebrachial fractures when only the radius is stabilized, surgeons should consider DBF.

Glenoidectomy for treatment of a comminuted scapular fracture in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: This case report describes the surgical technique used and clinical outcome of a 15-year-old neutered female cat that had a comminuted fracture of the right glenoid and scapular neck secondary to a gunshot injury that was treated with glenoidectomy. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Good clinical outcomes are possible with removal of the glenoid for treatment of comminuted fractures of the scapulohumeral joint. Glenoidectomy is a viable alternative to amputation in cats with normal neurovascular supply to the affected limb. Persistent functional, pain-free lameness, muscle hypertrophy and changes in shoulder range of motion are to be expected.

Morphometric description of the feline radius and ulna generated from computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the length, internal and external diameters, cancellous bone volume and extent, and cortical thickness at predetermined locations in the radius and ulna of a cohort of skeletally mature, disease-free feline cadavers using radiography and computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Five feline cadavers were used (mean weight 3.31 kg, range 2.55-4.24 kg). Antebrachii (n = 10) were radiographed to confirm skeletal maturity and normal radiographic appearance prior to CT. Reconstructed CT images were used to measure bone length, cortical thickness, internal and external diameters, and cancellous extent. Cancellous bone volume was calculated automatically using OsiriX after manual segmentation (350-850 Hounsfield units window) from axial CT slices. RESULTS: CT images were used to measure bone length, cortical thickness, internal and external diameters, and cancellous extent and volume. Mean radial length was 95.89 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 88.52-103.26 mm) and mean ulna length was 114.67 mm (95% CI 105.53-123.81 mm). The olecranon had the largest mean cancellous bone volume (94.16 mm(3); 95% CI 72.09-116.23 mm(3)) and it extended a mean of 13.12 mm (95% CI 11.73-14.51 mm) distally. The radius at the level of the trochlea and the ulna at the level of the coronoid processes had the largest external diameters, respectively. The medullary canal narrowed at the level of the coronoid processes and became cranially eccentric at the proximal third of the diaphysis. The cranial cortex at the level of the coronoid processes and the caudal cortex of the olecranon were markedly thicker than other cortices at those levels. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Morphometry of the feline antebrachium was described using CT, and should be a useful reference for future research investigations and clinical applications.

Accelerometer validity and placement for detection of changes in physical activity in dogs under controlled conditions on a treadmill.

The objective of the research was to determine the optimal location and method of attachment for accelerometer-based motion sensors, and to validate their ability to differentiate rest and increases in speed in healthy dogs moving on a treadmill. Two accelerometers were placed on a harness between the scapulae of dogs with one in a pouch and one directly attached to the harness. Two additional accelerometers were placed (pouched and not pouched) ventrally on the dog's collar. Data were recorded in 1s epochs with dogs moving in stages lasting 3 min each on a treadmill: (1) at rest, lateral recumbency, (2) treadmill at 0% slope, 3 km/h, (3) treadmill at 0% slope, 5 km/h, (4) treadmill at 0% slope, 7 km/h, (5) treadmill at 5% slope, 5 km/h, and (6) treadmill at 5% slope, 7 km/h. Only the harness with the accelerometer in a pouch along the dorsal midline yielded statistically significant increases (P<0.05) in vector magnitude as walking speed of the dogs increased (5-7 km/h) while on the treadmill. Statistically significant increases in vector magnitude were detected in the dogs as the walking speed increased from 5 to 7 km/h, however, changes in vector magnitude were not detected when activity intensity was increased as a result of walking up a 5% grade. Accelerometers are a valid and objective tool able to discriminate between and monitor different levels of activity in dogs in terms of speed of movement but not in energy expenditure that occurs with movement up hill.