IMAGING: RADIOGRAPHY-11*

In this paper an overview of principles involved in radiographic imaging by tomography, magnification radiography, xeroradiography, and computed tomography is presented. Tomography is a method to selectively blur distracting superimposed shadows while maintaining relative image sharpness in a plane of concern. Magnification radiography is a method to directly enlarge the radiographic image by increasing object-film distance and utilizing a small focal spot. Xeroradiography is an electrostatic imaging process that provides wide latitude and good resolution through enhanced contrast in tissues with poor inherent contrast. Computed tomography involves imaging by computer analysis of x-ray absorption utilizing rotational x-ray projections.     

CROSS-SECTIONAL ANATOMY OF THE BEAGLE THORAX

Transverse sections of the thorax of the Beagle were prepared, photographed, and compared with computerized tomographic scans and dissection specimens. Anatomical features were identified by these means with the aid of anatomical texts. A series of labeled photographs was produced to aid in the interpretation of computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance scans.     

Morphometric analysis of the cranial cavity and caudal cranial fossa in the dog: a computerized tomographic study.

This investigation was initiated to develop a reliable and simple computerized tomography (CT) method for evaluating the morphometry of the cranial cavity (CC) and caudal cranial fossa in the dog. We obtained linear, area, and volume measurements of the entire CC and the caudal fossa compartment in 24 dogs, using transverse and reformatted sagittal and dorsal CT images. The ratios between the CC and the caudal fossa volumes were calculated, as were the ratios between the CC and caudal fossa midsagittal (MS) areas. There were statistically significant correlations between absolute volume data and certain linear measurements, a positive correlation between volume ratio and weight, and significant differences in absolute volume values and volume ratio between males and females. The volume ratio, MS area, and certain linear measurements included in this study can be considered as accurate parameters to evaluate the relative size of the CC to caudal fossa in the dog. Such quantitative measures may be useful in systematically characterizing Chiari-type malformations and other developmental anomalies in the dog.     

Donkey dental anatomy. Part 1: Gross and computed axial tomography examinations

Post-mortem examination of 19 donkey skulls showed that donkeys have a greater degree of anisognathia (27% width difference between upper and lower jaws) compared to horses (23%). Teeth (n=108) were collected from 14 skulls and examined grossly and by computed axial tomography (CAT). A greater degree of peripheral enamel infolding was found in mandibular cheek teeth (CT) compared to maxillary CT (P<0.001). A significant increase in peripheral cementum from the apical region to the clinical crown was demonstrated in all CT (P<0.0001). All donkey CT had at least five pulp cavities with six pulp cavities present in the 06s and 11s. A new endodontic numbering system for equid CT has been proposed. A greater occlusal depth of secondary dentine (mm) was present in older donkeys (>16 years) than in the younger (<15 years) donkeys studied. Based on gross and CAT examinations, donkey dental anatomy was shown to be largely similar to that described in horses.     

A COMPUTERIZED WORD-BASED DATA SYSTEM FOR A VETERINARY RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Computer programs were developed to record and retrieve the diagnostic findings of a veterinary radiology department. The concluding statements of reports are abstracted into a data file. Records may be retrieved by the computer after selecting any of the following: owner's name, patient number, date, species, breed, sex, age, state of residence, imaging type and diagnosis (word or statement). Also, information retrieved from the hospital financial records (procedures performed) and medical record databases may be combined with imaging report information to provide a powerful tool for clinical research and teaching.     

吉林延边地区牛气肿疽病的诊断报告

本研究旨在对吉林省延吉市三道湾镇两位农户饲养的病死黄牛进行快速诊断。本试验采集肝脏、脾脏、心脏、肌肉等组织,通过流行病学调查、临床剖检、显微镜观察、细菌培养观察、生化试验、分子生物学试验及动物试验进行气肿疽病诊断。病死黄牛的肌肉部位触压有捻发音,切面有大量血液和气泡流出,镜检可见两端钝圆、有芽孢的大杆菌,在肝片肉汤培养基中形成上清清朗、底部有松散的白色沉淀,生化试验均呈现气肿疽厌气菌所特有的产酸产气反应,PCR扩增出大小为501 bp的特异性条带。结果表明延边地区两病死黄牛感染了气肿疽病,证明了该地区气肿疽梭菌的存在。本试验首次分离鉴定出气肿疽梭菌延边株,为该地区气肿疽病的诊断和防制提供了重要的参考依据,同时为进一步研究该病的药物防制和免疫防制奠定了重要基础。     

Diagnostic Report of Clostridium chauvoei Infection of Cattle in Yanbian of Jinlin Province

The study was aimed to rapidly diagnose two ill and dead cattle in three bay town of Yanji city in Jilin province.We collected liver,spleen,heart,muscle and other tissues to diagnose Clostridium chauvoei infection by epidemiological investigation,clinical autopsy,microscopic obsevation,bacterial culture observation,biochemical experiment,molecular biology diagnosis and animal experiment.The muscles of the ill and dead cattle contacted with crepitus,and the section had a lot of blood and bubble flowing out,microscopic obsevation found bacillus with obtuse at both ends and spores,the bottom of the tube had loose and white precipitate in the broth,biochemical experiments showed that the isolate had acid-production and gas-production reactions which was unique to anaerobic bacteria causing Clostridium chauvoei infection,and 501 bp fragment was amplified by PCR.The results showed that two ill and dead cattle were casued by Clostridium chauvoei infection in Yanbian area,and proved the existence of Clostridium chauvoei.The test separated Clostridium chauvoei Yanbian strain for the frist time,which provided important reference basis for the prevention and treatment of Clostridium chauvoei infection,and laid the important foundation for the further study of drug and immune preventions of this disease.     

Autopsy report for a caffeine intoxication case and review of the current literature

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a popular mild central nervous system stimulant found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of various plants and in foodstuffs such as coffee, tea, and chocolate, among others. Caffeine is widely used and is not associated with severe side effects when consumed at relatively low doses. Although rarely observed, overdoses can occur. However, only a few fatal caffeine intoxication cases have been reported in the literature. Herein, we report the pathological examination results and information on caffeine concentrations in the blood, urine and main organs in a fatal caffeine intoxication case. Even though high caffeine concentrations were found in the systemic organs, no caffeine-related pathological changes were detected.     

白枕鹤的并殖吸虫病--斯氏狸殖吸虫

引自潘阳湖的一只雄性白枕鹤于 1 998年 8月份死亡 ,经剖检从其气管末端内壁发现了斯氏狸殖吸虫 (Paragonimusskryabini)。此前我国并无涉禽类该病的报道     

Feasibility of using tissue autolysis to estimate the postmortem interval in horses

Estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a poorly studied field in veterinary pathology. The development of field-applicable methods is needed given that animal cruelty investigations are increasing continually. We evaluated various histologic criteria in equine brain, liver, and muscle tissue to aid the estimation of PMI in horses, which is central to forensic investigations of suspicious death. After death, autolysis proceeds predictably, depending on environmental conditions. Currently, no field-applied methods exist that accurately estimate the PMI using histology in animals or humans through quantification of autolysis. Brain, liver, and skeletal muscle from 12 freshly euthanized horses were held at 22°C and 8°C for 72 h. Tissues were sampled at T0h, T1h, T2h, T4h, T6h, T12h, T24h, T36h, T48h, T60h, and T72h. For each tissue, we quantified 5 to 7 criteria associated with autolysis, based on the percentage of microscopic field involved. Each criterion was modeled, with temperature and time as independent variables. Changes were most predictable in liver and muscle over the first 72 h postmortem. The criteria for autolysis that were present most extensively at both temperatures were hepatocyte individualization and the separation of bile duct epithelium from the basement membrane. The changes that were present next most extensively were disruption of myofiber continuity, hypereosinophilia, and loss of striation. Brain changes were highly variable. The high statistical correlation between the parameter “autolysis” and the variables “time/temperature”, indicates that autolysis is progressive and predictable. Further investigation of these criteria is needed to establish histologic algorithms for PMI.     

Postmortem abdominal radiographic findings in feline cadavers.

Postmortem radiographic examinations of animals are commonly performed in judicial investigations to rule out gunshot and fractures. However, there was no available data on radiographic postmortem changes of animals. Forty-one sets of abdominal radiographs of feline cadavers made within 12 h of death were evaluated for postmortem changes. Intravascular gas was detected in 11 of 41 (27%) cadavers. The most common site of intravascular gas was the liver. Intravascular gas was also present in the aorta, femoral artery, celiac and cranial mesenteric arteries, and caudal superficial epigastric artery. Intrasplenic gas was detected in two cadavers. Only two cadavers had distended small intestine. One cadaver had pneumatosis coli. The changes detected were most likely due to putrefaction.     

Structural weakening of intramuscular connective tissue during postmortem aging of pork

We studied structural changes in the endomysium and perimysium during postmortem aging of pork using the cell‐maceration/scanning electron microscope method. Immediately post mortem, endomysia sheaths that house individual muscle fibers displayed a honeycomb‐like structure. The sheaths of the endomysium consisted of tightly arranged collagen fibrils in a random network. The perimysium comprised several layers of wavy sheets made up of tightly bundled collagen fibers. While the structure of the intramuscular connective tissues remained almost unchanged up to five days post mortem, the endomysium had resolved into individual collagen fibrils, and the thick sheets of the perimysium had separated into collagen fibers and fibrils at 8 days post mortem. These results provide direct evidence for structural weakening of the endomysium and perimysium during postmortem aging of pork. The shear‐force value of raw pork decreased rapidly within six days post mortem and then decreased slowly until 14 days post mortem. Since the rapid increase in tenderness is mainly due to structural weakening of myofibrils, we conclude that the disintegration of the endomysium and perimysium contributes to tenderization of pork during extended postmortem aging.     

妊娠早期绵羊子宫和胎儿实测与超声探查比较

用Ｂ超跟踪探查的９头妊娠母羊，分别于妊娠５７、５８、５９、６０、８６、８７、８８、９６和１００ｄ剖检，实测其于叶直径、胎儿冠一臀长、头长和胎儿主要内脏。结果发现，直径最大的子叶在妊娠８６ｄ，说明以测子叶直径来预测胎龄，只适用于妊娠８６ｄ以前；妊娠５９ｄ观察到有胃液，妊娠８６、９６ｄ先后在直肠和结肠观察到有胎粪蓄积，９６和１００ｄ在羊水和胃内发现有小粪球，说明此时已有排粪和吞咽反射；妊娠８７和８８ｄ观察到膀胱有尿蓄积和睾丸降入阴囊。     

Autopsy results of a case of ingestion of sodium hydroxide solution

Sodium hydroxide is a strongly corrosive alkali. We describe herein a case of suicide by ingestion of sodium hydroxide. A man in his 80s was found dead with a mug and a bottle of caustic soda. Macroscopically, liquefaction and/or disappearance of esophagus, trachea and lung tissue and a grayish discoloration of the mucosa of the stomach were seen along with blackish brown coloration of the skin, mouth, and oral cavity. The contents of the gastrointestinal tract showed a pH level of 7–8 on pH indicator strips. Histopathologically, liquefactive necrosis of remnant lung tissue and the stomach were seen. As biological reactions such as vasodilatation and inflammation were not detected in these organs, only a short number of hours must have passed between ingestion and death. This human case provides valuable information concerning the direct irritation induced by systemic exposure to corrosive substances.