Feline Ilial Fractures: A Prospective Study of Dorsal Plating and Comparison with Lateral Plating

Objective— To (1) report a technique for repair of feline ilial fractures using a dorsally applied bone plate and (2) compare outcome with cats treated by a lateral plate.
Study Design— Prospective study.
Animals— Cats (n=10) with iliac fractures.
Methods— Cats with ilial fractures (January 2005–December 2006) were treated by application of a dorsally applied bone plate. Immediate postoperative radiographs were compared with those taken 4–6 weeks later to assess screw loosening, screw purchase, and pelvic canal narrowing. Owners were contacted for medium-term (>3 month) follow-up. Data were compared with a report of outcome after lateral plating (LP) in 21 cats.
Results— Mean (± SD) screw purchase (89 ± 11 mm) was significantly greater ( P <.01) with a dorsal plate compared with a lateral plate (33 ± 8 mm). Significantly more screws ( P <.01) were used with a dorsal plate (median, 7) compared with a lateral plate (median, 6). Significantly less postoperative pelvic canal narrowing developed in the dorsal plating group between postoperative and 4–6-week follow-up radiography compared with the LP group (2% versus 15%, P <.01).
Conclusion— Dorsal plating of feline ilial fractures results in significantly less screw loosening and pelvic canal narrowing at 4–6 weeks after surgery compared with LP.
Clinical Relevance— Dorsal plating of feline iliac fractures may reduce complications associated with pelvic canal narrowing such as constipation and megacolon.     

Evaluation of a Joint Distractor to Facilitate Arthroscopy of the Canine Stifle

Objectives— To assess a novel technique for arthroscopic evaluation of the canine stifle avoiding the need for fat pad debridement.
Study Design— Prospective study.
Sample Population— Cadaveric canine stifles (n=10); Client-owned dogs (15).
Methods— In cadaveric stifles, the femoropatellar space was assessed before placement of a joint distractor and examination of the femorotibial joint. Time to complete evaluation of the femoropatellar space, to observe the cruciate ligaments, and to completion of examination of the femorotibial joint were recorded. Distractor-assisted arthroscopy was then performed in 15 consecutive clinical cases. Clinical information, time to complete joint evaluation, and ability to perform any additional arthroscopic surgery were recorded.
Results— Observation and palpation of intra-articular structures were possible in all cadaveric stifles. Mean time to evaluate the femoropatellar space was 3.2 minutes (range, 2–4 minutes); to observe the cruciate ligaments, 5.8 minutes (range, 3–8 minutes); and to completion of joint inspection, 9.1 minutes (range 6–13 minutes). In the clinical cases, observation of intra-articular structures was also possible in all stifles. Mean time to complete joint inspection was 21 minutes (range, 10–40 minutes). Partial meniscectomy was performed successfully in 5 stifles.
Conclusions— Use of a joint distractor allowed arthroscopic observation of all relevant structures. Partial meniscectomy was readily performed.
Clinical Relevance— Use of a joint distractor may simplify arthroscopic assessment of the canine stifle and avoid potential morbidity associated with fat pad debridement.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF THE PHARYNX AND LARYNX OF THE NORMAL DOG

Real-time ultrasonographic examination of the canine larynx was performed in 12 normal dogs using a 7.5-mHz mechanical sector scanner combined with a stand-off. A variety of breeds and ages were examined. All examinations were performed in nonsedated, conscious animals. Transverse scans were found to provide the most reliable and interpretable images. Identification of laryngeal structures included the epiglottis, laryngeal and cricoid cartilages, and the vocal cords. In conscious animals, abduction and adduction of the vocal cords associated with respiration could be identified if the animal was made to pant during the examination. Movement of the vocal cords could also be quantified by pulse-wave Doppler recording. In all animals, recordings were made during inspiration only, with muscular vibration at a rate less than 0.1 m/s.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHY VERSUS RADIOGRAPHY FOR DETECTION OF FLUID IN THE CANINE TYMPANIC BULLA

The tympanic bullae of 20 previously healthy cadaver animals were randomly filled with sterile saline or air. The heads were positioned using tape ties and a rostrocaudal open mouth radiograph taken. The resulting radiographs were assessed by a blinded ECVDI diplomate, with each tympanic bulla being recorded as being either air or fluid filled. Ultrasound examination of the bullae was performed, by a blinded assessor, using a B-mode 5 mHz sector probe (Sonotron-VingMed Sound A/S, PO Box 141, N3191, Horten, Norway) operating at 3 mHz. Each bulla was recorded as being either air or fluid filled. Results of radiography and ultrasonography were each compared to the actual status of the bulla in a chi square analysis. Sensitivity of radiography was 80%, with specificity of 65%. Ultrasonographic sensitivity was 100% and specificity 100%. Ultrasonography may in future provide a cheap, noninvasive, rapid and widely available method for diagnosing otitis media in clinical cases.     

Transcatheter intravascular stent placement to relieve supravalvular pulmonic stenosis

Valvular pulmonic stenosis has been successfully treated in dogs via minimally invasive transcatheter balloon dilation procedures for almost 20 years. Supravalvular pulmonic stenosis however is not amenable to balloon dilation procedures. Although several surgical procedures are described for treatment of pulmonic stenosis, the morbidity and mortality of these procedures are significantly higher than for transcatheter approaches.Two cases of supravalvular pulmonic stenosis are presented, one acquired and one congenital, which were successfully treated with transcatheter intravascular stent placement. The procedure alleviated the stenotic lesion and resolved clinical signs.