ULTRASOUND APPROACH TO THE CANINE DISTAL TIBIA AND TROCHLEAR RIDGES OF THE TALUS

The aim of the present study was to evaluate to what extent the distal tibia and the trochlear ridges of the talus can be examined with ultrasound (US) in the dog and to establish a protocol for an optimal US examination of these ridges. Six hind limbs of deceased adult mixed-breed dogs were used. In two limbs, needles were placed using US guidance on the trochlea of the talus, just dorsal to and plantar to the distal tibia: one with the tarsal joint in extension and one with the joint in flexion. Then mediolateral (ML) radiographs of both joints were made with the needle in place to determine the percentage of the trochlear ridge of the talus that can be seen using US imaging. An US examination of the tarsal joint was performed on the four other limbs using microconvex (8 MHz) and linear (12 MHz) transducers (Logiq 7) and compound imaging. A three-step protocol was performed including a dorsal approach with the limb extended and the linear transducer (step I), a plantar approach with the limb flexed and the linear transducer (step II), and a plantar approach with the limb flexed and the microconvex transducer (step III). After the US examination, the four limbs were frozen and sectioned, two in a transverse and two in a sagittal plane. Bony structures on the US images were matched with the corresponding anatomic sections. The distal tibia and both trochlear ridges of the talus were easily recognized on the US images using the proposed protocol. When combining the dorsal and plantar approaches, it was possible to visualize up to 75% of the trochlear ridges of the talus in the dog.     

Histiocytic ulcerative colitis in a French Bulldog

A case of histiocytic ulcerative colitis (granulomatous colitis) in a one–year–old female French Bulldog is described. Until now this disease has been described only in the Boxer breed.
The dog had an increased frequency of defaecation and the faeces contained blood and mucus. Colonoscopy showed some irregularities and a few haemorrhages in the mucosa of the caudal part of the colon. At a distance of approximately 25 cm from the anus there was a stricture caused by rigidity of the colon wall. Radiographic examination revealed marked shortening of the colon. There was also narrowing of the midpoint of the descending colon in some radiographs, but the colon appeared to be fully distensible when filled with barium. Histologically, periodic acid–Schiff (PAS)–positive staining histiocytes were found in biopsy and autopsy specimens from the colon.     

REGIONAL BRAIN PERFUSION IN EPILEPTIC DOGS EVALUATED BY TECHNETIUM-99m-ETHYL CYSTEINATE DIMER SPECT

We evaluated the feasibility of interictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to detect alterations in regional cerebral blood flow and neuronal activity in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. Twelve dogs with idiopathic epilepsy underwent interictal technetium-99m-ethyl cysteinate dimer SPECT of the brain. Different cortical regions of interest (ROIs), 1 ROI at the cerebellum and 1 ROI at the subcortical area were evaluated by semiquantitative analysis and compared with a control group (18 dogs). Significant hypoperfusion ( P =0.02) was present in the subcortical area of epileptic dogs. This hypoperfusion was not associated with seizure frequency, age at onset of seizures, duration of epilepsy, or time since the last seizure. Interictal SPECT did not reveal cortical or cerebellar perfusion alterations. The subcortical area may play an important role in the pathophysiology of canine idiopathic epilepsy.     

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis complicated by partial ruptures and a perforation of the small intestine in a dog

A 2-year-old male Bouvier de Flandres was admitted because of muco-haemorrhagic diarrhoea of three weeks duration. Radiographic examination revealed signs of gastrointestinal perforation with peritonitis and ileus. Laparotomy revealed a severely changed intestine with longitudinal ruptures of the external part of the wall, and jejunal perforation causing an acute peritonitis. The mesenteric lymph nodes were enlarged. A diffuse eosinophilic gastroenteritis and lymphadenitis were found at autopsy with granulomatous lesions in the oesophagus, stomach and intestines.     

Surgical Treatment of a Canine Intranasal Meningoencephalocele

Objective— To report the clinical signs, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of an intranasal meningoencephalocele in a dog.
Study Design— Case report.
Animal— Female Border collie, 5 months old.
Methods— A right intranasal meningoencephalocele was identified by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Results— The lesion was approached by a modified transfrontal craniotomy. Surgical closure of the defect at the level of the cribriform plate and removal of extruded brain tissue resulted in regression of lacrimation and coincided with absence of seizuring. Treatment with phenobarbital was gradually reduced and stopped at 7 months after surgery. At 28 months the dog remained free of seizures.
Conclusion— Meningoencephalocele, although rare, can cause seizures in dogs and can be treated surgically.
Clinical Relevance— A transfrontal craniotomy with excision of the meningoencephalocele and closure of the defect can be an effective treatment for an intranasal meningoencephalocele in dogs.     

长三角工业型城乡交错区蔬菜生产系统重金属平衡及健康风险

随着中国城市化进程的加快,城乡交错区重金属污染问题越来越受到人们的关注.本文以长三角无锡市城乡交错区某蔬菜基地为例,详细观测了两年期间(2003.7-2005.7)蔬菜生产系统中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd等重金属元素的平衡状况,其目的是掌握该生产系统重金属的积累趋势,评价系统中土壤和蔬菜的健康风险.结果表明:该系统在管理过程中,重金属的输入途径有施肥和灌溉,有机肥施用是生产系统重金属输入的主要来源,占输入量的88.5% 以上.系统重金属年输入量较高,明显高于荷兰农业区水平,而Cu、Pb、Zn等元素年输出量明显较低,占输入量的10% 以下,表现为盈余.观测田块土壤中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd含量均低于农田土壤二级标准但明显高于太湖地区人为土元素背景值,存在积累的趋势.蔬菜中重金属健康风险评价结果表明,在目前的生产条件下,叶菜类蔬菜重金属健康风险较高.     

USE OF [123I]-2-IODO-l-PHENYLALANINE AS A TUMOR IMAGING AGENT IN TWO DOGS WITH SYNOVIAL CELL SARCOMA

[123I]-iodo-L-phenylalanine was successfully evaluated for gamma camera imaging in vivo in tumor-bearing athymic mice and in humans with brain tumors. Here, we report the use of this tracer in two dogs with synovial cell sarcoma of the tarsus. [123I]-iodo-L-phenylalanine was quantitatively prepared as a kit formulation using the Cu(1+) +-assisted nucleophilic exchange. Rapid [123I]-2-iodo-L-phenylalanine tumor accumulation was observed with good tumor to background contrast and rapid clearance in these two dogs. This radiopharmaceutical is a promising alternative tumor tracer to overcome the known limitations of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and, when labelled with radioiodine-131, has the potential to be used for therapeutic purposes.     

Agreement and Repeatability of Linear Vertebral Body and Canal Measurements Using Computed Tomography (CT) and Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Objective— To evaluate agreement and repeatability of vertebral column measurements using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Study Design— Retrospective observational study.
Animals— Dogs (n=18) with disc associated wobbler syndrome; Dog cadavers (n=3).
Methods— Five measurements of the 5th cervical vertebra were performed: vertebral body length (VBL), vertebral canal height (VCH), vertebral body height (VBH), vertebral canal width (VCW), and vertebral body width (VBW). Measurements were performed independently twice by 2 observers. Bland-Altman plots were created to evaluate agreement. Cadaveric vertebrae with soft tissue removed had the same variables and actual dimensions measured.
Results— The largest discrepancy between CT and MRI measurement was for VBL (mean difference±SD=1.262 mm±1.245; P <.001), with the difference for all the other variables being acceptable. The 1st measurement was significantly higher than the 2nd only for VBL using CT (mean difference=0.476 mm±1.120; P =.009), with all other variables having acceptable differences. Mean difference for all measurements between 2 observers was small, except for VBL using CT (mean difference=0.762 mm±1.042; P <.001). Only the difference for VBL between CT and cadaver specimens was statistically significant.
Conclusions— Our results suggest high repeatability and good agreement for most vertebral measurements of interest. VBL measurement using CT was considered problematic.
Clinical Relevance— Provided limitations are understood, linear measurements of vertebral dimensions from CT and MRI images can be used clinically.     

The use of CT and CT arthrography in diagnosing equine stifle injury in a Rheinlander gelding

A 5‐year‐old Rheinlander gelding was evaluated for left hindlimb stifle lameness. The lameness was localised to the stifle, but source of the lameness was not specifically diagnosed from the physical, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations. Computed tomography (CT) and CT arthrography were therefore used for further investigation since these imaging techniques image bony structures, cartilage and soft tissues. This examination showed multiple lesions in the stifle: an osteochondrosis dissecans like lesion of the medial femoral condyle, bony fragments, cartilage trauma and caudal cruciate ligament injury. The prognosis for continuing use as a sports horse was regarded as unfavourable. Therefore, the horse was subjected to euthanasia. All CT findings were confirmed by gross pathology. The CT and CT arthrography examination in this case provided a diagnosis not achieved with other conventional imaging techniques.