Arteriography in ponies with Strongylus vulgaris arteritis.

Radiographs of the aorta and abdominal arteries were obtained from a normal anesthetized pony following catheterization of a femoral artery for nonselective, semiselective or selective arteriography. The arteries had smooth borders and regular diameters and the branches of the cranial mesenteric artery could be followed distally on the angiogram through to the smaller branches proximal to the bowel wall. Following arteriography, the pony walked normally and there were minimal alterations of the levels of serum muscle enzymes and blood lactate. The procedures for arteriography were repeated in three days. At that time the femoral artery was patent and satisfactory angiograms were obtained. Similiarly, radiographs were obtained from two ponies artificially infected with Strongylus vulgaris. The cranial msenteric artery and some of its branches, the right renal artery and segments of the aorta had irregular borders and were enlarged. Branches of the cranial mesenteric artery could not be followed distally because the flow of the contrast material was blocked. Following the above procedures, euthanasia of all ponies was expedited and the findings of arteritis, thrombosis and dilatation of arteries at necropsy compared favorably with interpretations from the radiographs. At least in the pony, arteriography can be a valuable research and diagnostic tool for the demonstration of lesions associated with verminous arteritis.     

THE RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF RETICULAR DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIATION AND TRAUMATIC PERICARDITIS IN BUFFALOES AND CATTLE

Survey radiography is used in diagnosis of different affections in buffaloes and cattle. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of radiography in diagnosis of reticular diaphragmatic hernias and traumatic pericarditis in buffaloes and cattle. The present study was carried out on 69 animals (51 buffaloes and 18 cattle). Reticular diaphragmatic hernias (40 buffaloes, 4 cattle) and traumatic pericarditis (11 buffaloes, 14 cattle) were evaluated. Lateral right-left survey radiography of the thorax was performed. In diaphragmatic hernia, radiography revealed presence of a rounded or vertical oval mass of soft tissue opacity superimposed over the heart. Radiopaque foreign bodies of variable shape and size were seen within the herniated part of the reticulum. The apex of the heart was difficult to visualize. With traumatic pericarditis, survey radiography of the thorax revealed poor differentiation of thoracic contents. The contour of the diaphragm was lost and the cardiac silhouette was obscured. In several animals radiopaque foreign bodies (sewing needles, nails, and pieces of wire) were detected at the level of the heart or in the area connecting the dome of the diaphragm with the heart.     

Dual-phase CT Angiography of the Normal Canine Portal and Hepatic Vasculature

A dual-phase computed tomography (CT) angiographic technique was developed to image the hepatic and portal vascular systems using a nonselective peripheral injection of contrast medium. The arterial phase of the dual-phase scan imaged the hepatic arteries and veins, and the portal phase imaged the portal vein as well as its tributaries and branches. There were three steps involved in acquiring the dual-phase scan: a survey helical scan for orientation, a dynamic scan for timing, and finally the dual-phase helical scan. Five normal dogs were imaged using a helical scan technique. The timing of the arterial and portal phases of the scan was calculated using time vs. attenuation graphs generated from a dynamic scan. The median time of appearance of contrast medium in the cranial abdominal aorta was 8.6 s and the median time of appearance of contrast medium in the hepatic artery occurred 0.4 s later. The median time of peak enhancement in the cranial abdominal aorta was 12.0 s. The median time of appearance of contrast medium in the portal vein was 14.6 s and median time of peak enhancement was 33.0 s. The dual-phase scans provided excellent vascular opacification. The hepatic arteries, hepatic veins, cranial and caudal mesenteric veins, splenic vein, gastroduodenal vein, and portal vein branches were all consistently well defined. Dual-phase CT angiography is a minimally invasive technique which provides an excellent three-dimensional representation of portal and hepatic vascular anatomy.     

Triple‐phased mesenteric CT angiography using a test bolus technique for evaluation of the mesenteric vasculature and small intestinal wall contrast enhancement in dogs

Computed tomography angiography is widely used for the assessment of various mesenteric vascular and bowel diseases in humans. However, there are only few studies that describe CT angiography application to mesenteric vessels in dogs. In this prospective, experimental, exploratory study, the mesenteric vasculature and enhancement pattern of the intestinal wall were evaluated on triple‐phase CT angiography, and improvement of the visibility of vasculature was assessed on multiplanar reformation, maximum intensity projection, and volume rendering technique. After test bolus scanning at the level of the cranial mesenteric artery arising from the aorta, mesenteric CT angiography was performed in 10 healthy, male, Beagle dogs. Scan delay was set based on time‐to‐attenuation curves, drawn by placing the regions of interest over the aorta, intestinal wall, and cranial mesenteric vein. Visualization and enhancement of mesenteric arteries and veins were evaluated with multiplanar reformation, maximum intensity projection, and volume rendering techniques. The degree of intestinal wall enhancement was assessed on the transverse images in precontrast, arterial, intestinal, and venous phases. Pure arterial images were obtained in the arterial phase. Venous phase images allowed good portal vascular mapping. All CT angiography images were of high quality, allowing for excellent visualization of the anatomy of mesenteric vasculature including the small branches, particularly on maximum intensity projection and volume rendering technique. Distinct contrast enhancement of the intestinal wall was observed in both intestinal and venous phases. Findings indicated that this technique is feasible for the evaluation of mesenteric circulation in dogs.     

Myoperitoneal Microvascular Free Flaps in Dogs: An Anatomical Study and a Clinical Case Report

The purpose of the anatomical study was to identify potential myoperitoneal microvascular free flaps, in dogs, that are based on a single artery and vein. The angiosomes of the right deep circumflex iliac artery and left phrenicoabdominal (cranial abdominal) artery were evaluated in six medium-sized canine cadavers. The right deep circumflex iliac artery and left phrenicoabdominal (cranial abdominal) artery were injected with a mixture of barium and latex (equal parts). The entire right and left transversus abdominis muscles were dissected from the abdominal wall and radiographed. The angiograms of the deep circumflex iliac artery showed poor arborization of the vessels within the transversus abdominis muscle in all six cadavers. The angiograms of the phrenicoabdominal (cranial abdominal) artery showed consistent filling of the vascular bed of the cranial half of the transversus abdominis muscle flap in all six dogs. The vascular pedicle lengths and the diameter of the arteries and veins of both the deep circumflex iliac and phrenicoabdominal (cranial abdominal) myoperitoneal free flaps were found to be acceptable for microvascular anastomosis. The deep circumflex iliac flap was unacceptable because of inadequate vascular perfusion. The cranial abdominal artery had a consistent, large branch that supplied the cranial half of the transversus abdominis muscle, thereby making a myoperitoneal flap supplied by this vessel a potentially useful free flap. An 8-year-old male, neutered, mixed-breed dog was evaluated for possible repair of a large defect of the hard palate. Previous operations, using local tissue flaps, had been unsuccessful. A myoperitoneal free flap, based on the right cranial abdominal artery, and consisting of the cranial portion of the transversus abdominis muscle, was used successfully to reconstruct the hard palate. Migrating epithelium from the edges of the wound covered the myoperitoneal flap by 10 weeks after surgery. Therefore, the cranial abdominal myoperitoneal free flap can be considered for reconstruction of intra-oral defects that cannot be repaired using conventional local flap techniques.     

Chronic diaphragmatic hernia in 34 dogs and 16 cats

Medical records of 34 dogs and 16 cats undergoing surgical repair of diaphragmatic hernia of >2 weeks' duration were reviewed, and long-term follow-up information was obtained. The most common clinical signs were dyspnea and vomiting; however, many of the animals were presented for nonspecific signs such as anorexia, lethargy, and weight loss. Thoracic radiographs revealed evidence of diaphragmatic hernia in only 66% of the animals, and additional imaging tests were often needed to confirm the diagnosis. Thirty-six hernias were repaired through a midline laparotomy; 14 required a median sternotomy combined with a laparotomy. In 14 animals, division of mature adhesions of the lungs or diaphragm to the herniated organs was necessary to permit reduction of the hernia. Fourteen animals required resection of portions of the lungs, liver, or intestine. All hernias were sutured primarily without the use of tissue flaps or mesh implants. Twenty-one of the animals developed transient complications in the postoperative period; the most common of these was pneumothorax. The mortality rate was 14%. Thirty-four (79%) of the animals that were discharged from the hospital had complete resolution of clinical signs, and none developed evidence of recurrent diaphragmatic hernia during the follow-up period. Nine were lost to follow-up.     

Arterial and venous supply to the bovine jejunum and proximal part of the ileum

The blood vasculature of the bovine jejunum and proximal part of the ileum was studied in 20 mature dairy cows at slaughter. The cranial mesenteric artery and vein supplied the jejunum and ileum, and their major branches were present in all specimens and supplied similar regions of the intestinal tract. Proximal branches of the cranial mesenteric artery were pancreatic arteries, caudal pancreaticoduodenal artery, middle colic artery, and ileocolic artery. A large collateral branch arose from the proximal segment of the cranial mesenteric artery, anastomosing with the continuation of the cranial mesenteric artery distally along the jejunum. Jejunal arteries arose from the continuation of the cranial mesenteric artery, forming a series of anastomosing arches. Straight vessels arising from these arches did not branch or anastomose before entering the serosal layer of the intestine. The proximal part of the ileum was supplied by branches from the continuation of the cranial mesenteric artery; these branches anastomosed with the mesenteric ileal (ilei mesenterialis) artery, a branch of the ileocolic artery. The venous supply paralleled the arterial supply in all specimens.     

ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE HEPATIC AND PORTAL VENOUS SYSTEM IN THE DOG AND CAT: AN INVESTIGATIVE METHOD*

The investigators studied the hepatic angiographic technics used in human medicine with respect to their applicability for the investigation of circulatory liver diseases in the dog and cat. The technics were performed in 11 normal dogs and 2 normal cats, and the normal radiographic anatomy of the hepatic portal system and its tributaries was described. The potential indications for the angiographic technics were defined and their respective advantages and disadvantages discussed. Splenoportography was a valuable method for outlining the intrahepatic portal vein branches and for percutaneous prehepatic portal vein pressure determination. Percutaneous transhepatic portography was more difficult to perform, but it provided better detail of the intrahepatic portal veins than splenoportography. Transjugular transhepatic portography was the most versatile but also the most cumbersome of all technics tested. Percutaneous kinetic hepatography proved impractical in dogs and cats. The mesenteric tributaries to the hepatic portal system were best outlined by cranial mesenteric arterial portography or by operative mesenteric venous portography. Operative mesenteric venous portography, in contrast to cranial mesenteric arterial portography, was also useful for prehe-patic portal vein pressure determination. Free and wedged hepatic venography provided an opportunity for the functional and morphologic investigation of the hepatic sinusoid circula-tion.     

ARTERIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE ABDOMINAL AORTA IN THE GOAT, DOG, PIG, AND RABBIT

Arteriographic anatomy of the major branches of the abdominal aorta of rabbits, dogs, pigs, and goats was investigated. The origin and location of the celiac, cranial mesenteric, right renal, left renal, caudal mesenteric, and external iliac arteries were demonstrated, and their placement was described in relation to the iliac bifurcation and lumbar vertebral bodies.     

Technique for transrectal ultrasonography of the cranial mesenteric artery of the horse

Transrectal ultrasonography was successfully used to image the cranial mesenteric artery and its branches in 23 adult horses. The artery could be imaged from its origin at the aorta distally to identify several bifurcations. The method for transrectal imaging of the cranial mesenteric artery and its major branches required 3 distinct transducer positions. One position was used to locate the cranial mesenteric artery by imaging the caudal portion of the aorta from the aortic bifurcation cranially to the level of the cranial mesenteric artery. The second position was used to image the origin of the cranial mesenteric artery. The third position was used to image the major branches of the cranial mesenteric artery.     

USE OF ULTRASOUND TO DIAGNOSE DIAPHRAGMATIC RUPTURE IN DOGS AND CATS

Twenty-one cats and six dogs that presented to a first-opinion clinic with signs of dyspnea and muffled cardiac auscultation received ultrasonography to look for signs of diaphragmatic rupture. The presence or absence of diaphragmatic rupture was subsequently determined on the basis of unequivocal radiographic signs, surgical findings, or necropsy. Consistent findings in animals with diaphragmatic rupture were irregular or asymmetric cranial aspect of the liver and abdominal viscera in the thorax. Accuracy of ultrasonography was 25/27 (93%). One false-negative result occurred in a cat with a chronic diaphragmatic rupture in which adhesions between the liver and lung simulated the appearance of an intact diaphragm. One false-positive result occurred in a dog with an abscess involving the left lung and pleural cavity, which was misinterpreted as the stomach. The results of this study support use of ultrasonography in animals with suspected diaphragmatic rupture.     

Cardiac‐gated,phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography is a reliable and reproducible technique for quantifying blood flow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels

Blood flow changes in cranial abdominal vessels are important contributing factors for canine hepatic disease. This prospective, experimental, pilot study aimed to evaluate cardiac‐gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PCMRA) as a method for characterizing blood flow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels. Eleven, healthy, adult beagle dogs were sampled. Cardiac‐gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography of the cranial abdomen was performed in each dog and blood flow was independently measured in each of the major cranial abdominal vessels by three observers, with two observers recording blood flow values once and one observer recording blood flow values three times. Each dog then underwent ultrasonographic examination of the liver with fine needle aspirations and biopsies submitted to cytologic and histologic examination. The mean absolute stroke volume and velocity were respectively 9.6 ± 1.9 ml and –11.1 ± 1.1 cm/s for the cranial abdominal aorta, 2.1 ± 0.6 ml and –6.6 ± 1.9 cm/s for the celiac artery, and 2.3 ± 1.0 ml and –7.9 ± 3.1 cm/s for the cranial mesenteric artery. The mean absolute stroke volume and velocity were respectively 6.7 ± 1.3 ml and 3.9 ± 0.9 cm/s for the caudal vena cava and 2.6 ± 0.9 ml and 3.2 ± 1.2 cm/s for the portal vein. Intraobserver reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.9). Interobserver reproducibility was also excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.89–0.99). Results of liver ultrasonography, cytology, and histopathology were unremarkable. Findings indicated that cardiac‐gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography is a feasible technique for quantifying blood blow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels. Blood flow values from this sample of healthy beagles can be used as background for future studies on canine hepatic disease.     

Arterial Vascularization of the Gastrointestinal Tract of the Pampas Deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus,Linnaeus, 1758)

Based on gross dissection of fifteen adult animals (11 females, 4 males), we described the arterial supply of the stomach and intestines of the pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus), a South American endangered species. The coeliac artery emitted the splenic, left gastric and hepatic arteries. The splenic artery directed towards the spleen, and the right ruminal artery, which is its only collateral directed towards the stomach, being the main artery of the rumen. The left gastric artery gave origin to the left ruminal, the reticular and the left gastroepiploic arteries. The left gastroepiploic artery originated the reticular accessory artery. Both arteries, gastric and left gastroepiploic, anastomosed their right counterparts derived from the hepatic artery on the curvatures of the abomasum. The cranial mesenteric artery irrigated the second half of the duodenum until the beginning of the descending colon. The thickest branch emitted by the cranial mesenteric artery was the ileocolic artery, which was destined to the ascending colon, caecum and ileum. The colic branches and the right colic arteries were irradiated on the right surface of the spiral loop of the ascending colon and distributed to both centripetal and centrifugal coils of the ascending colon; the colic branches were also anastomosed with the last jejunals and ileals and with the right colic arteries. There were no variations in the origin of any of the main branches derived from the coeliac and cranial mesenteric arteries. This species had a basic pattern of arterial distribution similar to small domestic ruminants.     

Effects of medetomidine on doppler variables of major abdominal arteries in normal dogs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of medetomidine administration on the Doppler variables of abdominal arteries. The study population consisted of 20 healthy dogs. The haemodynamic effects of the medetomidine were defined using Doppler variables of the abdominal aorta, renal arteries, cranial mesenteric artery and celiac artery. The dogs were monitored continuously and different measurements were performed before medetomidine injection, at 10, 40 and 80 minutes after medetomidine medication and after atipamezole administration. Changes in the characteristic Doppler spectra of different vessels were more marked in the abdominal aorta, in which a greater reverse flow was found. There was a significant decrease in peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and mean velocity (MV) at ten minutes in every vessel studied and this effect persisted until atipamezole administration. Pulsatility index (PI) increased significantly in the abdominal aorta at ten minutes and persisted during the study until atipamezole administration. Resistive index (RI) did not vary significantly in any vessel. A significant decrease was found in flow volume of the abdominal aorta, the cranial mesenteric artery and the celiac artery at ten minutes, persisting until atipamezole administration. We conclude that medetomidine can be a good sedative in aiding sonographic evaluation of RI in all the abdominal vessels studied. On the other hand, the changes in other Doppler variables suggest that medetomidine administration causes significant hemodynamic differences between sedated and non-sedated dogs.     

Mummified Fetus in the Thoracic Cavity of a Domestic Short-haired Cat

This short communication describes the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical course of a domestic short-haired cat with diaphragmatic hernia in which the herniated structure in the thoracic cavity contained a mummified fetus. The cat was pregnant when rescued from the street and, days later, gave birth without abnormalities. Some months later, during an ovariohysterectomy, an abnormal localization of the uterus was observed, and at that time the case was referred to our center. A thoracic radiograph showed an abnormal thoracic mass cranial to the heart. The main suspicion was the presence of a thoracic hernia with the uterus herniated and containing a mummified fetus. A thoracotomy was performed to confirm the nature of the mass and reduce the diaphragmatic hernia. Although this clinical case is quite rare, a mummified fetus can be observed in thoracic hernias.     

PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY WITH 64‐MULTIDETECTOR‐ROW COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN NORMAL DOGS

Pulmonary angiography using 64‐multidetector‐row computed tomography (MDCT) was used to evaluate pulmonary artery anatomy, and determine the sensitivity of pulmonary artery segment visualization in four Beagle dogs using images reconstructed to 0.625 mm and retro‐reconstructed to 1.25 and 2.5 mm slice thickness. Morphologically, characteristic features included a focal narrowing in the right cranial pulmonary artery in all dogs, which should not be mistaken as stenosis. While the right cranial pulmonary artery divided into two equally sized branches that were tracked into the periphery of the lung lobe in all dogs, only a single left cranial (cranial portion) lobar artery was present. Compared with 1.25 and 2.5 mm retro‐reconstructions, 0.625 mm reconstructions allowed for detection of significantly (P≤0.05) more pulmonary artery segments and sharper depiction of vessel margins. Clinical applications such as prevalence and significance of diameter changes, and detection of pulmonary arterial thrombembolism on lobar and sublobar level, using pulmonary angiography with 64‐MDCT applying 0.625 mm reconstruction slice thickness remain to be established.     

初生仔猪腹腔脏器的动脉分枝类型

用乳胶加颜料血管注射的方法,对32例初生仔猪的腹腔脏器的动脉分枝进行观察,其主要结果如下: 腹腔动脉有五个分枝类型,即两枝型(脾动脉、肝动脉)有25例(78.13％);三枝型(脾动脉、胃左动脉、肝动脉)有3例(9.36％);四枝型A(脾动脉、憩室动脉、胃左动脉、肝动脉)有1例(3.13％);四枝型B(两主枝是脾动脉和肝动脉,两侧枝是胃左动脉和憩室动脉)有1例(3.13％);一枝型(只有脾动脉,而肝动脉则来自肠系膜前动脉)有2例(6.25％)。 空肠动脉的分枝,依次形成初级弓、二级弓和网状丛,再由网状丛发出大量的、放射状的小枝分布到肠管上。这些小枝呈两两成对地并列(与同级静脉伴行),到肠管附近,两枝彼此分开,每枝分布到肠管的一个侧面。     

Arterial Vascularization and Morphological Characteristics of Adrenal Glands in the Pampas Deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus,Linnaeus 1758)

This research presents morphological characteristics of adrenal glands and a demonstration of arterial vascularization in the Pampas deer, which is considered to be in extreme danger of extinction. A total of ten deer constituted the material of the study. Vascularization of organs was investigated by using latex injection technique. Left adrenal glands were basically supplied by coeliac, cranial mesenteric, renal and lumbal arteries. The arterial vascularization of the left adrenal glands was very complex in comparison with right adrenal glands. In two examples, branch of the lumbal artery was divided into phrenic caudal artery and cranial adrenal artery. In six examples, it was observed that the caudomedial and ventral regions of the left adrenal glands were also supplied by thinner branches that stemmed from second left lumbal artery. Besides, coeliac and cranial mesenteric arteries also gave off shorter branches supplying the cranial region of the left adrenal glands in five examples. It was determined that two branches originated from abdominal aorta directly for supplying left adrenal glands in only two examples. In four examples, two caudal adrenal arteries stemmed separately from left renal artery in a short distance. Arterial vascularization of right adrenal glands was more constant and supplied by lumbal and renal arteries. The adrenal glands were generally oval or round shaped. In only two examples, left adrenal glands were ‘V‐’ or heart‐shaped. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in sizes between right and left adrenal glands.