3T MRI characteristics of the palatine tonsil in brachycephalic dogs.

BACKGROUND: Investigation of the MRI characteristics of the palatine tonsil in brachycephalic dogs in 3T high-field system. METHODS: Eighty-five brachycephalic dogs and 37 normocephalic dogs were divided into five groups: group 1 French bulldogs (FBs) with neurological clinical signs (n = 37), group 2 FBs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) (n = 22), group 3 pugs with neurological clinical signs (n = 17), group 4 pugs with BOAS (n = 9) and group 5 normocephalic dogs (n = 37). Cross-sectional area and volume measurements were performed, and tonsillar margination and contour, shape, signal intensity and homogeneity/heterogeneity of the palatine tonsils were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Cross-sectional area and volume measurements of the tonsils showed no significant differences between brachycephalic and normocephalic dogs with the exception of the dogs of group 2 (FB BOAS), which showed relatively high volume and large cross-sectional area in comparison to other groups. In 87% of the brachycephalic animals, the tonsils were well defined. A smooth contour was detectable in 91.8% and a rounded shape in 94.7% of brachycephalic dogs. Signal intensity was assessed as hyperintense in relation to the musculature and iso- to hyperintense to the soft palate. Heterogeneous appearance was described in 86.9% of the brachycephalic animals. CONCLUSIONS: The MRI characteristics of the tonsils of brachycephalic dogs do not differ considerably from those of normocephalic dogs. In FBs with distinct clinical signs of obstructive airway syndrome, increase in cross-sectional area and volume of the tonsils was detected.

[Contrast-enhanced ultrasound at a rare bilateral renal carcinoma with secondary inflammation and necrosis in a cat]. / Kontrastmittelsonografie bei einem seltenen bilateralen renalen Karzinom mit sekundärer Entzündung und Nekrose bei einer Katze.

A 17-year-old male neutered domestic short hair cat was presented because of anorexia. The clinical examination revealed no abnormalities. Using sonography, mainly hypoechoic mass lesions at the level of the cortex and capsule were detected in both kidneys. The severity of the renal lesions could be clearly demonstrated using contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Under general anesthesia, fine needle aspirations of the lesions were taken. Part of the lesions were sampled from dorsal, an unusual practice for small animal medicine. Cytology revealed a bilateral renal carcinoma with secondary inflammation and necrosis. The cat improved under medical symptomatic treatment, but was euthanized 2 weeks later.

[Multiple choristoma and a myelolipoma in a Sheltie]. / Multiple Choristome und ein Myelolipom bei einem Sheltie.

An 11-year-old female Sheltie was presented with inappetence and a progressive increase in abdominal distention. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a large cystic mass in the midabdomen and cystic lesions in the right liver lobe and in the caudal pole of the left kidney. Histopathologic examination of the resected tissue revealed a myelolipoma of the spleen, dispersed splenic tissue in the liver and dispersed uterine and salpinx tissues in the kidney. This report describes the clinical, ultrasonographic and computed tomographic features and the results of histopathology. In addition to the abnormally large and cystic myelolipoma of the spleen, the great number of choristomas is remarkable, which has not previously been documented in a dog.

[Complications of ultrasound-guided liver biopsies in dogs and cats]. / Komplikationen sonographisch gestützter Leberbiopsien bei Hund und Katze.

OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound-guided biopsies are obtained generally to reach a sound diagnosis in the case of sonographically detectable hepatic changes. The most common and well-known complication associated with ultrasound-guided biopsies is haemorrhage after sampling, which may lead to the patient's death. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible association between alterations in the coagulation parameters and sonographically observable haemorrhage following liver biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs and cats in which an ultrasound-guided biopsy of the liver had been performed were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were thoroughly documented sonographic findings and the results of the coagula tion parameter thromboplastin time or a combination of the activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time. The incidence of post-interventional ascites and possible risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients met the inclusion criteria and the data of 94 dogs (89.5 %) and 11 cats (10.5 %) were analysed. Post-interventional complications occurred in 26 of 105 patients (24.8 %), 21.9 % being minor and 2.9 % being major. Free abdominal fluid after intervention was sonographically detected in 22 of 94 dogs (23.4 %) and four of 11 cats (36.4 %). Three of 10 dogs (2.9 %) with a clinically significant prolongated coagulation time of > 25 % had ascites after biopsy. Only a small amount of fluid was detected in two of these three dogs, while a moderate amount of ascites was observed in the third dog. One of two cats with a prolonged coagulation time of > 25 % developed a moderate amount of ascites after the puncture. No statistically significant association was found between the occurrence of post-interventional ascites and a prolongation of the coagulation time. CONCLUSION: According to the study results, there is no obvi ous correlation between alterations in coagulation and haemorrhage after an ultrasound-guided liver biopsy.

[Magnetic resonance imaging anatomy of the feline salivary glands]. / Magnetresonanztomographische Anatomie der Speicheldrüsen der Katze.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to define anatomical characteristics of feline salivary glands using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to describe landmarks for their reliable identification. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Heads of 37 adult cats without signs of diseased salivary glands on clinical examination or history were examined. In cats included in the prospective part of the study, the MRI study was completed within one hour after euthanasia (n = 16). In the retrospective part, previously performed MRI studies were evaluated (n = 21). The prospective part of the study included the following standardized sequences: T2-weighted (T2W) turbo spin echo (TSE), T2W fat-suppressed TSE and proton density weighted (PDW) TSE images in a transverse plane as well as T1-weighted (T1W) fast field echo (FFE) in the transverse, sagittal and dorsal planes. In the retrospective part, T2W TSE and T1W TSE transverse images pre- and post-contrast were analyzed. Initially, identification and delineation of the salivary glands from surrounding tissue was assessed. Anatomical structures of the head were then identified and defined as landmarks. The dimensions of the glands were measured on T2W TSE images and the signal intensity in relation to that of fat and muscle was described using all sequences. RESULTS: In total, 95.9% of the parotid glands and 100% of the mandibular glands could be visualized on T1W TSE and FFE images and on T2W TSE images. Additionally, 93.3% of the zygomatic glands were identified on T2W TSE sequences and 82.5% on T1W TSE and FFE images. The ventral buccal glands could be demarcated in some sequences (T2W TSE: 51.4%, T1W TSE and FFE: 18.9%). Anatomical landmarks facilitated gland identification. Comparing the size of the salivary glands of both groups revealed differences of up to 2 mm. CONCLUSION: Both the large salivary glands (Glandula [Gl.]. parotis and Gl. mandibularis) and the small salivary glands (Gl. zygomatica and Gl. buccalis ventralis) of the cat can be reliably identified on MRI images.

Mapping system for portal placement in laparoscopic procedures of small animals.

BACKGROUND: Current recommendations for portal placement in laparoscopy are often imprecise. The aim of this study was to establish and evaluate a mapping system for portal placement during laparoscopic procedures in small animals. Sixty-four final-year veterinary students took part in this in papyro study. Descriptions of portal placements of two recent veterinary laparoscopic papers were randomly chosen as templates. The students performed portal placement based either on the description in the papers or based on the orthogonal mapping system for portal placement developed by the authors in a previous pilot study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups and asked to virtually chart positions of the portals on two photographs of a dog's abdomen. Group A (n = 31) placed the portals using the mapping system, and Group B (n = 33) placed the portals based on the explanations provided in two randomly selected studies. RESULTS: Group A achieved an overall correct placement rate of 94.91 % (87.1-100.0 %) with an overall mean distance of 1.31 mm (0.00-3.61 mm) from the desired placement points. Group B achieved an overall correct placement rate of 40.8 % (3.1-93.3 %) with an overall mean distance of 16.97 mm (7.17-27.63 mm) from the desired placement points. The students in Group A performed significantly better than did students in Group B (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the mapping system significantly improved correct portal placement in a dog photograph model. Use of such systems in laparoscopy may help facilitate correct portal placement and improve the repeatability of procedures, especially for the novice surgeon.