CONTRAST RADIOGRAPHY OF THE OVINE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

Contrast radiography of the alimentary canal was conducted in six adult sheep with barium sulfate (70% W/V, 25–30 ml/kg). A period of 12 hours was adequate for opacification of most parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of contrast medium in different parts of the alimentary canal was noted for as long as 60 hours. The right lateral view was adequate for visualization of most structures, but the typical laminar mucosal pattern of the omasum and the spiral mucosal folds of the abomasum were demonstrated better on the ventrodorsal view.     

RADIOLOGIC ANATOMIC VARIATION OF THE CARPUS IN HORSES WITH CARPAL LAMENESS AND CONTROL HORSES

Our purpose was to describe the variation of the radiologic appearance of the carpus of horses of different breeds, discipline, and gender with lameness related to the carpus and control horses, with particular reference to the ulnar carpal bone. Two hundred and eighty‐six sets of carpal radiographs from 222 horses were analyzed. Breed, gender, discipline, and cause of lameness were recorded. Chi square tests were used to test for associations between radiologic findings and gender, breed and discipline, to test for associations between different radiologic findings, and to test for associations between radiologic findings and causes of lameness. Bonferroni correction was applied when necessary. The shape of the ulnar carpal bone and most of the anatomic variants, with the exception of the first carpal bone and a radiolucent area in the second carpal bone, were not breed or gender related. Radiolucent areas and associated fragments on the palmaromedial aspect of the ulnar carpal bone can be an incidental finding in horses from all disciplines.     

DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF TESTS BASED ON RADIOLOGIC MEASUREMENTS OF DOGS AND CATS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

A systematic review of diagnostic tests based on radiologic measurements of structures in dogs and cats was done in order to reach generalizable conclusions about the value of making such measurements. Literature search was done using the ISI Web of Knowledge^SM for studies in the subject category Veterinary sciences. Studies were eligible for inclusion that employed length, angle, area or volume measurements from radiographic, ultrasonographic, CT or MR images of dogs or cats as a diagnostic test for a naturally occurring condition, compared the results of imaging with a reference standard, included at least 10 subjects, and sufficient data that a 2 × 2 table of results could be constructed. Quality of studies was assessed using the QUADAS‐2 tool. Twenty‐six studies were found describing 40 tests that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Tests were radiographic in 22 (55%) instances and ultrasonographic in 18 (45%). Quality of studies was generally low, with a risk of bias in patient selection in 92% studies, performance of the index test in 73% studies, and patient flow in 42% studies. Median (range) number of subjects was 64 (20–305), sensitivity was 77% (38–99%), specificity was 82% (50–99%), positive likelihood ratio was 4.1 (1–103), and negative likelihood ratio was 0.29 (0.01–1). Two studies that compared accuracy of radiographic measurements to subjective image interpretation alone found no difference. Evidence is weak that radiologic measurements of structures in dogs and cats are useful for diagnosis, hence measurements should not be emphasized as a basis for diagnosis in either teaching or clinical imaging reports.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN OVINE COENUROSIS

Computed tomographic imaging was conducted in twenty ewes with cerebral coenurosis. CT imaging allowed precise evaluation of the size and location of the cyst, which appeared as a hypoattenuating structure with a mass effect. No meaningful correlation between clinical signs and the location of parasitic cyst was detected.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE, COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC AND RADIOLOGIC FINDINGS IN A DOG WITH DISCOSPONDYLITIS

Magnetic resonance (MR), computed tomographic and radiographic imaging were conducted in a dog with discospondylitis. The MR findings were increased T2 and decreased T1 signal intensity of the soft tissues ventral to vertebral bodies, the end plates of the same vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disc, and are similar to those described in human with discospondylitis.     

SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF RADIOGRAPHIC DETECTION OF CANINE ELBOW INCONGRUENCE IN AN IN VITRO MODEL

Canine elbow incongruence is believed to be the consequence of underdevelopment of the radius. The purpose of this study is to determine the sensitivity and specificity of radiography to detect elbow incongruence in an in vitro model and to assess the optimal elbow angle and radiographic beam position. Five normal cadaveric canine left forelimbs were used. A four-pin, type 1 external fixator with a linear motor side bar was fixed to the cranial part of the radius of each limb and a 1 cm segment of bone was removed from the mid-diaphysis to allow radial shortening. Each elbow was subjected to the same protocol. They were radiographed at two different angles (90 degrees and 135 degrees) of flexion, with 10 different radiographic beam positions (centered on the humeral condyle, 3 cm cranial, 3 cm caudal, 3 cm distal, 3 cm proximal, 3 cm cranio-proximal, 3 cm cranio-distal, 3 cm caudo-proximal, 3 cm caudo-distal and on the shoulder joint) and at four different level of radial shortening (0, 1, 2 and 3 mm). In addition, a radiographic view centered on the elbows flexed at 135 degrees was made after simulating weight bearing. The acquired digital images were independently evaluated by three evaluators unaware of the elbows status. The elbows were judged normal, incongruent or borderline based on specific criteria. The sensitivity for detection of elbow incongruence at and beyond 2 mm was excellent at 90 degrees (median = 100% for all views) and good at 135 degrees (median = 80%) of flexion with no difference between examiners. The sensitivity at 1 mm of incongruence was unchanged at 135 degrees but was reduced at 90 degrees of flexion (median = 60%) with a significant difference between the evaluators. The specificity was significantly different between the evaluators and ranged from 70% to 90% at 90 degrees of flexion and from 50% to 80% at 135 degrees. The lowest specificities at 90 degrees were obtained with the proximal displacements of the X-ray beam. Simulating weight bearing significantly decreased the sensitivity at 1 mm (from 80% to 50%) and 3 mm (from 100% to 80%) of incongruence and slightly increased the specificity (from 55% to 65%). Radiography is a sensitive and specific test to detect moderate-to-severe radio-ulnar incongruence (2 mm and over) if the elbow is flexed at a 90 degrees angle regardless of the radiographic beam position. Finally, canine elbow incongruence appeared reduced after an in vitro weight-bearing simulation.     

THE SUPINATED MEDIOLATERAL RADIOGRAPH FOR DETECTION OF HUMERAL HEAD OSTEOCHONDROSIS IN THE DOG

Mediolateral and supinated mediolateral radiographs of the shoulder joint were compared in 19 dogs. Twenty shoulders, representing 15 dogs (5 had bilateral lesions), had osteochondrosis of the humeral head. The flattened humeral head and subchondral defect were detectable in both views in all affected shoulders. The lesions were slightly more easily detected in the supinated view. The supinated view more consistently demonstrated the presence of a calcified cartilage flap and therefore, could be useful in determining a course of therapy. In four dogs (8 shoulders) without osteochondrosis and six normal shoulders from affected dogs, there were no instances in which a shoulder appeared normal on one view, but demonstrated a lesion on the other. The supinated view should be obtained in addition to the mediolateral view in dogs with osteochondrosis of the humeral head.     

EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT PROJECTIONS FOR RADIOGRAPHIC DETECTION OF TARSAL DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE IN ICELANDIC HORSES

Radiographs from 196 tarsi in 98 Icelandic horses were evaluated to compare the accuracy of four different projections in detecting radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease in the distal tarsus. The extent and localization of tarsal degenerative joint disease found in one projection when reading all four projections of the same tarsus together was compared with the combined findings from all four projections. The results of reading individual radiographic projections without knowledge of the other three projections was also evaluated. Degenerative joint disease was detected most frequently in the plantarolateral-dorsomedial oblique (P1L-DMO) projection. The location with the highest relative frequency of radiographic findings was the dorsolateral aspect of the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints respectively. Radiographic signs of active bone remodelling was detected in 30 (33%) and periarticular osteophytes in 51 (56%) of 91 tarsi with degenerative joint disease.     

MODERN SURGICAL TREATMENT OF HUMAN HYDATIDOSIS

SUMMARY: Modern treatment of hydatid disease of man depends on confirmation of active disease by use of modern serological tests, accurate identification of anatomical sites followed by complete removal of the parasite without spillage, and sterilisation of the remaining cavity. To avoid spillage use of a hydatid cone is recommended.     

RADIOLOGIC EVALUATION OF SPAVIN IN YOUNG TROTTERS

Tarsal radiographs of 134 trotters were made prior to training. Radiographs were evaluated for changes commonly associated with spavin. Spavin, if present, was graded as mild, moderate, or severe. Sone of the 134 horses were radiographed annually for one, two, or three years. Radiographs of the 134 horses were compared with radiographs of 141 additional horses in which spavin had been diagnosed clinically. Only 66 of the 134 trotters (50.4%) had normal tarsal radiographs at the time of initial examination; the other 65 had some radiographic evidence of spavin. The incidence and severity of radiographic changes identified in a group of horses in which spavin was diagnosed clinically. Thus, the present results suggest that tarsal radiography is of little value in establishing the diagnosis and prognosis of spavin in trotters.