The Angle of Inclination of the Canine Femoral Head and Neck

Two different methods of measuring the angle of inclination of the femoral head and neck were made and compared on 108 dogs. Resultant angles were not related to age, sex, or breed. The angle of inclination is related to technique of measurement, positioning, and anteversion angle.     

Inclination and Anteversion Angles of the Femoral Head and Neck in the Dog Evaluation of a Standard Method of Measurement

The inclination and anteversion angles of the femoral head and neck in 30 mongrel dogs were determined using a radiographic biplanar technique. The angle of anteversion of the 30 necropsy specimens was measured directly and compared with the in vivo radiographic measurements.
The average value for the angles of anteversion, inclination, and corrected real angles of inclination were 31.3°, 148.8°, and 144.7°, respectively. Graphs were established using existing trigonometric relations to facilitate the analysis. The method used was found to be simple, reliable, and accurate. The mean difference between the indirect radiographic biplanar technique and direct measurements on isolated bones was ° 1.5°. The difference between the mean values of anteversion angles determined after radiographic biplanar technique and direct bone measurements was not significant (p > 0.05).     

Measurements of Femoral Neck-Shaft Angle in the Growing Beagle

The angles of inclination and anteversion were measured radiographically in 8 beagles, at 4-week intervals from 14 to 38 weeks of age, the time of radiographic physeal closure. Minimal changes in the femoral neck-shaft angles were observed during this observation period. The results indicate that surgical correction of altered femoral neck-shaft angles could be proposed at any time after 3 months of age in the beagle breed.     

Measurement of Femoral Torsion in Dogs Using a Biplanar Method

The authors defined the concept of femoral torsion using three axes and two planes. Two techniques were used to measure the femoral anteversion angle on 30 femurs of 15 adult mixed breed dogs. The conventional fluoroscopic technique was compared to the right angle triangle technique. The mean angle for each technique was 30.80 and 31.31 degrees, respectively. The right angle triangle technique, using conventional radiographs, appeared as reliable, accurate, and reproducible as the fluoroscopic method and is recommended for clinical use.     

Evaluation of Intra‐ and Interobserver Variability and Repeatability of Tibial Plateau Angle Measurements with Digital Radiography Using a Novel Digital Radiographic Program

Objective— To compare the intra‐ and interobserver variability occurring when observers with differing experience levels measure tibial plateau angles (TPAs) with a novel digital radiographic projection program (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy [TPLO] planning program), the Kodak Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS), and standard sized printed films (SF). Study Design— Cross‐sectional study. Sample Population— Dogs (n=36) with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture that had a TPLO. Methods— Six observers, divided into 3 equal groups based on experience level, measured TPA on 36 digitally captured radiographic images of tibiae of dogs clinically affected with CCL rupture. Each observer used 3 methods of measuring TPA and repeated the measurements 3 times with each method. The intra‐ and interobserver variability was compared using the coefficient of variation. Results— Averaged over all replications and images, there was no significant difference (P>.05) in the average variability occurring with each method for all but 1 observer. There was no effect of experience level on measurement variability; however, interobserver variability was significantly less with measurements made with the PACS and TPLO planning program compared with measurements made from SF (P<.05). Conclusions— Repeated measurements of TPA made using digital images and computer‐based measurement programs were significantly less variable between observers than those made from images printed on standard radiographic films. Clinical Relevance— Digital radiography and computer‐based measurement programs are effective for determining the TPA, allowing less variability in measurements compared with SF. The ability to manipulate the image may allow better identification of anatomic landmarks.     

Femoral asymmetry in the Thoroughbred racehorse

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of geometrical asymmetries in the macro-architecture of left and right femurs from Thoroughbred racehorses previously used in competitive training and racing in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: Detailed postmortem measurements were made of 37 characteristics of left and right femurs from eleven Thoroughbred racehorses euthanased for reasons unrelated to the study. Measurements focused on articulating surfaces and sites of attachment of muscles and ligaments known to be associated with hindlimb locomotion. RESULTS: Five measurements were significantly larger in left compared to right femurs (P < 0.05). The regions showing significant differences between left and right limbs were proximal cranial and overhead medio-lateral widths, greater trochanter depth, depth of the fovea in the femoral head and distal inter-epicondylar width. CONCLUSION: The left-right differences in femoral morphology were associated with sites of muscle and ligament attachment known to be involved with hindlimb function in negotiating turns. These differences may be the result of selection pressure for racing performance on curved race tracks and/or adaptations related to asymmetrical loading of the outside hindlimb associated with repeated negotiation of turns on such tracks.     

犬股动脉插管动物模型的建立

旨在建立犬股动脉插管动物模型,采用舒泰50进行全身麻醉,将动脉插管从鬐甲处植入,并沿皮下至腹股沟股动脉处。此模型的建立为采血、血压测定等多项科学试验提供了动物模型。     

Interobserver agreement in the diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia using the standard ventrodorsal hip-extended radiographic method

OBJECTIVES: To determine the agreement between observers and to investigate the effect of observer experience in diagnosing canine hip dysplasia and providing final scoring of hips using the standard ventrodorsal hip-extended radiographic method. The agreement of the final scoring, with a presumed correct assessment based on the Norberg angle, is also investigated. METHODS: Thirty observers were requested to read 50 ventrodorsal hip-extended radiographs of 25 dogs according to Federation Cynologique International criteria. Groups of experienced (nine members) and inexperienced (21 members) observers were used. RESULTS: For providing the distinction between dysplastic versus non-dysplastic dogs, the average interobserver agreement was 72 per cent and was significantly higher (P<0.0001) than the score that could be expected by chance without any agreement between observers. For providing the final score (A, B, C, D or E), an average interobserver agreement of 43.6 per cent was found. In the experienced group, an agreement score of 76 per cent was found for the distinction between AB versus non-AB and an agreement score of 81 per cent was found for the distinction between C versus non-C. The agreement score was significantly higher (P<0.0001) for the experienced group than for the inexperienced group in all cases. Agreement between the presumed correct assessment based on the Norberg angle and the observer's evaluation was low (P=0.35), irrespective of whether the observers were experienced (71.8 per cent correct assessments) or inexperienced (69 per cent correct assessments). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although interobserver agreement is low, observer experience increases agreement.     

Inclination and Anteversion of Collum Femoris in Hip Dysplasia and Coxarthritis

Madsen, J.S. and E. Svalastoga: Inclination and anteversion of collum femoris in hip dysplasia and coxarthritis. Acta vet. scand. 1994, 35, 115-119.–Femoral neck angles were measured radiographically in 41 dogs examined for hip dysplasia. Steep femoral neck inclination was found to be a phenomenon of hip dysplasia and coxofemoral joint laxity. The altered biomechanics of a steep femoral neck inclination may be a factor in the pathogenesis of hip dysplasia and secondary osteoarthritis.