An assessment of intra- and interobserver agreement of reporting orthopaedic findings on presale radiographs of Thoroughbred yearlings.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Radiography is commonly used in clinical practice but agreement of reporting of radiographically detected orthopaedic findings in horses has rarely been studied. OBJECTIVES: To assess agreement within and between observers for reporting of orthopaedic findings on presale radiographs of Thoroughbred yearlings. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of archived radiographs. METHODS: Four veterinary radiology specialists each twice examined 167 sets of radiographs for orthopaedic findings in the fore feet, fore and hind fetlocks, carpi, tarsi and stifles. There were 27 findings analysed for agreement. Kappa statistic (κ), percentage of positive agreement (Ppos) and percentage of negative agreement are reported. RESULTS: An excellent percentage of negative agreement was observed for all findings, with the exception of regular vascular channels of the proximal sesamoid bones. Ppos and κ results were variable. The presence of extra carpal bones, osseous cyst-like lesions of the ulnar carpal bone, sagittal ridge defects of the third metacarpus, fracture of the fore and hind proximal sesamoid bones, regular vascular channels in the hind proximal sesamoids, osteochondrosis lesions of the distal intermediate ridge and/or medial malleoli of the tibia, and osseous cyst-like lesions in the medial femoral condyle was consistently observed with an intra- and interagreement κ≥0.5 and Ppos≥50%. Lucency within the proximal sesamoids consistently had an observed intra- and interagreement κ<0.4 and Ppos<40%. CONCLUSIONS: Observation of orthopaedic findings on yearling repository radiographs showed generally excellent agreement on the absence of findings, but variable agreement on the presence of findings. Agreement was good for larger and easy to categorise radiographic findings. More accurate definitions and training need to be developed to improve agreement within and between observers for orthopaedic findings with poor or fair to good agreement.

Digital radiography.

Digital radiography has been used in human medical imaging since the 1980s with recent and rapid acceptance into the veterinary profession. Using advanced image capture and computer technology, radiographic images are viewed on a computer monitor. This is advantageous because radiographic images can be adjusted using dedicated computer software to maximize diagnostic image quality. Digital images can be accessed at computer workstations throughout the hospital, instantly retrieved from computer archives, and transmitted via the internet for consultation or case referral. Digital radiographic data can also be incorporated into a hospital information system, making record keeping an entirely paperless process. Digital image acquisition is faster when compared to conventional screen-film radiography, improving workflow and patient throughput. Digital radiography greatly reduces the need for 'retake' radiographs because of wide latitude in exposure factors. Also eliminated are costs associated with radiographic film and x-ray film development. Computed radiography, charged coupled devices, and flat panel detectors are types of digital radiography systems currently available.

Liver histopathology and liver and serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities in epileptic dogs receiving phenobarbital.

Phenobarbital (PB) therapy is frequently associated with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activities in dogs without clinical signs of liver disease. The goal of this study was to determine if increased serum ALT and AP activities in clinically healthy PB-treated epileptic dogs are due to hepatic enzyme induction or to subclinical liver injury. Liver biopsies were obtained from 12 PB-treated dogs without clinical signs of liver disease but with elevated serum ALT and/or AP activities or both. Liver biopsies were obtained from eight healthy control dogs not receiving PB. Biopsies were evaluated histopathologically (all dogs) and liver homogenates were assayed for ALT (all dogs) and AP (six treated dogs, all controls) activities. As a positive control, liver cytochrome P4502B, an enzyme known to be induced by PB, was measured by benzyloxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activity and immunoblotting (five treated dogs, all controls). Serum AP isoenzyme analyses were performed. Results showed that ALT and AP activities in liver homogenates were not increased in treated dogs compared with controls, whereas the positive control for induction, CYP2B, was dramatically increased in treated dogs. Histopathological examination of liver biopsies revealed more severe and frequent abnormalities in treated dogs compared to controls, but similar types of abnormalities were found in both groups. Serum AP isoenzyme analyses in treated dogs demonstrated increased corticosteroid-induced and liver isoenzyme activities compared to controls. Results do not support induction of ALT or AP in the liver as the cause of elevated serum activities of these enzymes due to PB.

Metabolic changes and induction of hepatic lipidosis during feed restriction in llamas.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether feed restriction induces hepatic lipidosis (HL) in llamas and to evaluate the metabolic changes that develop during feed restriction. ANIMALS: 8 healthy adult female llamas. PROCEDURE: Llamas were fed grass hay at a rate of 0.25% of their body weight per day for 13 to 28 days. Llamas were monitored by use of clinical observation, serum biochemical analyses, and ultrasound-guided liver biopsies. RESULTS: All 8 llamas lost weight and mobilized fat. Five llamas developed HL, including 4 that were nursing crias. During the period of feed restriction, mean serum concentration of bile acids and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were significantly higher in llamas that developed HL, compared with llamas that did not. Mean insulin-to-cortisol concentration ratios were lower in llamas with HL before and up to 7 days of feed restriction, compared with those that did not develop HL. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: HL in llamas may be induced by severe feed restriction, particularly in the face of increased energy demand. Llamas with weight loss attributable to inadequate dietary intake may develop biochemical evidence of hepatopathy and HL. Increases in serum concentration of bile acids and activities of GGT, AST, and SDH may indicate the development of HL in llamas and identify affected animals for aggressive therapeutic intervention.

Computed tomography for the diagnosis of a lumbosacral nerve sheath tumour and management by hemipelvectomy.

Computed tomography was used to define the gross extent of a lumbosacral plexus nerve sheath tumour in a 10-year-old crossbred dog. The tumour was also visualised ultrasonographically, which enabled a percutaneous biopsy to be taken. Hemipelvectomy was performed to achieve a clean margin of surgical excision.

Thoracic radiographic appearance in the normal llama.

The goal of this study was to collect quantitative and qualitative radiographic information of the normal adult llama thorax. Standing right-left lateral radiographs of the thorax of 16 normal llamas were made. Normal ratios of cardiac height, width, and height plus width to thoracic vertebrae 3-5 and thoracic height were calculated. Normal values determined for tracheal angle of divergence from the thoracic spine, cardiophrenic and cardiosternal contact are additional potential indicators of cardiac enlargement. Ratios of normal pulmonary artery and vein, caudal vena cava and trachea to the height of the fourth thoracic vertebra should allow identification of pathology of these structures. Observations regarding pulmonary vessels and airways, thoracic spine, sternebrae and portions of the gastrointestinal tract observed on thoracic radiographs are also included. It is proposed that these normal values and observations can be used to better evaluate diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of adult llamas.

Use of computed tomography in the diagnosis of a cerebral abscess in a goat.

A 7-month-old La Mancha doe was presented with a right head tilt and ventral strabismus while circling to the left. History and physical examination led to a tentative diagnosis of a cerebral abscess. Computed tomography revealed a large, complex mass with ring enhancement in the left cerebral hemisphere, supporting the diagnosis. Postmortem examination confirmed the cerebral abscess. Bacterial cultures yielded heavy growth of Actinomyces pyogenes.

Upper airway obstruction in a llama caused by aberrant nasopharyngeal bots (Cephenemyia sp.).

A 9 month old female llama was presented with inspiratory dyspnea. Radiographically, there was a large soft tissue mass nearly occluding the nasopharynx. During endoscopic examination three nasopharyngeal bots were identified embedded in the mass. The larvae were removed and the patient treated with ivermectin. The patient was discharged one week later free of clinical respiratory disease. In follow-up radiographs made 6 weeks later, only residual radiopacity in the area of the mass remained.

Unilateral fibroepithelial hyperplasia of the mammary gland in a goat.

A 2.5-year-old female Nubian goat was admitted because of a mass involving the right mammary gland. Ultrasonography and cytologic examination of the mass revealed a benign or hyperplastic condition. A right mastectomy was performed. Results of histologic and immunohistochemical tests indicated mammary fibroepithelial hyperplasia (fibroadenomatous change), which is a condition usually found in cats. The mammary mass had not redeveloped in the goat after 1 year.

Subepiglottic cyst causing upper airway obstruction in a neonatal calf.

A 14-day-old female Brahman calf was referred because of respiratory stridor since birth. Radiography and endoscopy were used to diagnose a pharyngeal cyst, which was subsequently surgically removed. The subepiglottic location and histopathologic features of the cyst were consistent with origin from an embryologic thyroglossal duct remnant.