Radiographic,MRI, and CT findings in a young dog with Becker-like muscular dystrophy

An 8-month-old, male, crossbreed dog was presented for macroglossia, reduced mandibular extension, ptyalism, dysphagia, and regurgitation. Serum creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase activity were markedly increased. Thoracic radiographs showed an axial gastro-esophageal hiatal hernia, diaphragmatic thickening, and asymmetry. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed a severely enlarged tongue, symmetric increase in size of the geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles, and diffuse masticatory hypomyotrophy. Whole-body CT ruled out other musculoskeletal abnormalities and further characterized the radiographic and MRI findings. Muscular histopathology was consistent with Becker muscular dystrophy.     

Traumatic pericarditis in cattle: clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium with accumulation of serous or fibrinous inflammatory products. In cattle, it is almost always attributable to a reticular foreign body that has penetrated the reticular wall, diaphragm and pericardial sac. The lead signs of pericarditis are tachycardia, muffled heart sounds, asynchronous abnormal heart sounds, distension of the jugular veins and submandibular, brisket and ventral abdominal oedema. The glutaraldehyde test is an important diagnostic tool because it is positive in >90% of affected cattle. Other common laboratory findings are leukocytosis and hyperfibrinogenaemia (indicating inflammation), and elevation of liver enzyme activity (reflecting hepatic congestion). Radiographs of the thorax and reticulum often show a foreign body cranial to the reticulum. In the majority of cases, massive fibrinopurulent adhesions obscure the cardiophrenic angle, cardiac silhouette and ventral diaphragm.Ultrasonography is the method of choice for diagnosis and characterisation of pericardial effusion. Echogenic deposits and strands of fibrin are seen on the epicardium, and the ventricles are compressed by the effusion. Severe pleural effusion is usually evident. In cattle with distension of the jugular veins and tachycardia, the differential diagnosis includes right-sided cardiac insufficiency attributable to other causes. Distension of the jugular veins without signs of right-sided cardiac insufficiency may occur with obstruction or compression of the cranial vena cava. The prognosis is poor, and pericardiocentesis or pericardiotomy are inadequate methods of treatment. Thus, prompt and humane euthanasia is indicated for cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis. Because a definitive diagnosis of traumatic reticuloperitonitis is not always possible based on clinical signs alone, radiography and ultrasonography of the thorax and reticulum are indicated in doubtful cases.     

X-ray and CT morphology of atlas variants in the dog

To investigate variations in atlas shape in dogs the image archives of the Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Vienna, and The Royal Veterinary College, University of London were searched for radiographs and CT images of the canine atlas. 32 radiographic and 78 CT studies, including 51 toy and 54 large breed dogs, were retrieved and analysed. Five dogs had both radiographs and CT scans. Patients with pathologic alterations, such as fractures and incomplete ossification of the atlas, as well as oblique projections were excluded. Compared to large breed dogs (body weight more than 30 kg) the atlas of toy breed dogs (body weight less than 10 kg) had a reduced craniocaudal and an increased dorsoventral diameter. The vertebral longitudinal axis appeared to be dorsorotated, resulting in a steeper rise of the atlas wings and a more dorsally located lateral vertebral foramen. When comparing the atlas of toy and large breed dogs, the distribution of three morphologic parameters was statistically different: Ratio length to height (toy breeds > 1, large breeds < or = 1), shape of the vertebral chanal (toy breeds: vertically oval, large breeds: round resp. cross-oval, or vertically oval) and trabecular bone of the dorsal arch (toy breeds: absent, large breeds: present). There was no significant difference in the morphology of the ventral arch. Differences in atlas morphology could contribute to the predisposition of toy breed dogs to atlanto-axial instability; however, further studies are necessary to test this hypothesis.     

Imaging diagnosis: CT findings in a dog with intracranial hemorrhage secondary to angiostrongylosis

A seven-month-old Cocker Spaniel had a cough, acute lethargy, decreased responsiveness, and episodes of hyperexcitability. There were bilateral generalized increased lung sounds, bilateral episcleral hemorrhage, and systemic hypertension. Prolonged buccal mucosal bleeding time and elevated D-dimer concentrations were detected. Radiographically, there was a generalized moderate unstructured interstitial pattern. In thoracic CT images, there was a diffuse moderate hyperattenuating appearance of the bronchial walls and interstitium and diffuse areas of moderate bronchiectasis. The brain CT images were characterized by marked hyperattenuating well-defined masses. In addition, there were smaller hyperattenuating and hypoattenuating masses scattered throughout the cerebral and cerebellar parenchyma. A zinc sulphate flotation test confirmed large numbers of Angiostrongylus vasorum L1 larvae. Despite therapy the dog continued to deteriorate and underwent euthanasia. Postmortem examination confirmed the presence of multiple intracranial and extracranial hemorrhages. Angiostrongylosis should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in dogs presenting with neurologic signs consistent with acute intracranial haemorrhage.     

Biliary cystadenoma in a Maltese dog: clinical and diagnostic findings

A 14-year-old Maltese dog presented for complete medical examination due to intermittent vomiting and diarrhea observed during the previous two days. A single, solitary, lobulated cystic mass was observed in the liver upon ultrasonographic and computed tomographic examination. After surgical hepatic resection to remove the mass, histological examination revealed a multilocular cyst lined by cuboidal to columnar epithelial cells, which is consistent with biliary cystadenoma. Here, we report the clinical, clinicopathological, histopathological, and diagnostic imaging findings of biliary cystadenoma in a dog.     

Trapped neutrophil syndrome in a Border Collie dog: clinical, clinico-pathologic, and molecular findings

Trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS) is an autosomal recessive inherited neutropenia known in Border Collies since the 1990's. Recently, the causative mutation has been identified in the canine VPS13B gene and a DNA-based diagnosis has now become available. The present paper describes clinical and clinico-pathologic findings in a Border Collie with TNS that was molecularly diagnosed for the first time in Japan. In a 10-week-old male Border Collie with microgenesis and symptoms related to recurrent infections, a hematological examination revealed severe leukopenia due to neutropenia, suggesting the dog to be affected by inherited neutropenic immunodeficiency. Direct DNA sequencing demonstrated that the dog was homozygous for the causative mutation of TNS and both its parents were heterozygous carriers. In addition, a simple and rapid polymerase chain reaction-based length polymorphism analysis coupled with microchip electrophoresis was developed for the genotyping of TNS. This assay could discriminate clearly all genotypes, suggesting that it was suitable for both individual diagnosis and large-scale surveys for prevention.     

Ganglioradiculitis (sensory neuronopathy) in a dog: clinical,morphologic, and immunohistochemical findings

A 9-year-old Labrador Retriever was diagnosed with ganglioradiculitis (sensory neuronopathy). This idiopathic disease of mature dogs is characterized by a profound loss of sensory nerve function due to mononuclear inflammatory infiltration of peripheral ganglia and spinal nerve roots, with destruction of sensory neurons. Immunohistochemistry demonstrates that the infiltrating cells are primarily T lymphocytes and that immunoglobulins are not present on the cell membranes of affected neurons. The pathogenesis of ganglioradiculitis remains unclear, but the evidence points to a cell-mediated immune mechanism.     

Traumatic intracerebral hematoma in a dog: MR images and clinical findings

A nine-year-old, male, mongrel dog was unsteady after falling down a set of stairs. The dog exhibited a mildly abnormal gait 2 days after injury, and was not able to stand, with spasticity of the right limbs, 4 days after injury. MR imaging revealed a clearly demarcated mass on the top of the left lateral ventricle that showed mild hyperintensity on T1-weighted images and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. The authors diagnosed the dog as having a traumatic intracerebral hematoma. This type of case, in which the clinical signs deteriorated due to edema associated with hematoma, is extremely rare.     

Presumptive caudal cerebellar artery infarct in a dog: clinical and MRI findings

Clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging findings of a caudal cerebellar artery infarct are reported for the first time in a dog. Clinical signs were characterised by a peracute, non-progressive, right-sided central vestibular syndrome with paradoxical right-sided head tilt. Magnetic resonance images were consistent with a territorial, non-haemorrhagic, ischaemic lesion affecting the caudo-ventral part of the right cerebellar hemisphere, mainly involving the right paramedian lobe, the ansiform lobe and the caudal cerebellar peduncle. Bloodwork results were suggestive of an underlying hypercoagulable state, although the concomitant presence of a histologically confirmed mammary gland adenocarcinoma could have also been related to the cerebellar vascular obstruction through metastatic emboli formation. Posterior-inferior cerebellar artery infarction is the human equivalent of caudal cerebellar artery infarct in dogs.     

Cerebellar focal granulomatous meningoencephalitis in a dog: clinical findings and MR imaging

The authors encountered a dachshund dog, presenting vestibular disorder. On magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, a mass showing isointensity on the T1- and T2-weighted images and enhanced by contrast medium, was observed in the right cerebellum. In addition, the periphery of the mass showed isointensity on the T1-weighted image and hyperintensity on the T2-weighted image, suggesting sever oedema. Although the dog underwent surgery, it died. The mass was diagnosed pathologically as a granulomatous meningoencephalitis.     

Odontoma in a juvenile boxer: Clinical, radiographic and pathological findings

Compound odontoma was diagnosed in a seven-month-old boxer dog. The hamartoma presented as an expansile painless mass in the right rostral hemimandible, causing severe distortion of the incisor arcade. Radiographs revealed filling of the medullary cavity of the bone by soft tissue containing mineralised foci, with attendant cortical thinning. The lesion was excised. Histological evaluation demonstrated a connective tissue stroma containing multiple irregular foci of enamel and dentine resembling rudimentary teeth (denticles). These were typically bounded by an ameloblastic zone and contained a central area of odontoblasts and dental pulp. At nine months after surgery, no recurrence has been recognised.     

Chondrosarcoma in a simmental cow: Clinical, ultrasonographic, radiographic and pathological findings

Clinical, ultrasonographic, radiographic and pathological findings of a chondrosarcoma diagnosed in an 8-year-old Simmental cow are reported. The primary site was located in the cartilage of the right scapula at the angulus cranialis. The tumour had already spread to the lungs at the time of diagnosis. This is the first report of a bovine scapula chondrosarcoma.