FRACTURE OF THE CENTRAL TARSAL BONE IN NONRACEHORSES: FOUR CASES

Fractures of the central tarsal bone are a rarely recognized cause of acute severe hind limb lameness in nonracehorses. Diagnosis of these fractures can be challenging and little is known about their configuration or outcome. The objectives of this retrospective case series study were to describe the clinical features, imaging findings, and outcomes of fractures of the central tarsal bone in a sample of nonracehorses. Medical records from 2001 to 2014 were searched for cases of central tarsal bone fractures in nonracehorses. All available imaging findings including radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and/or nuclear scintigraphy were reviewed. History, clinical presentation, and outcome were collected from the records. Four horses met the inclusion criteria. All had a similar configuration as a simple nondisplaced slab fracture in a dorsomedial to plantarolateral orientation. Initial radiographs failed to reveal the fracture in three of four cases. When additional plantarolateral‐dorsomedial oblique radiographic views were obtained, the fracture could be identified in all cases. Fractures of the central tarsal bone seemed to occur in a consistent dorsomedial to plantarolateral orientation in this sample of nonracehorses, which is different from the configuration previously reported in racehorses. While CT can be used for detection and assessment of these fractures, authors propose that radiography can also identify these fractures with the appropriate view. Authors recommend the use of several plantarolateral to dorsomedial radiographic projections at varying degrees of obliquity for horses with a suspected central tarsal bone fracture.     

Survey of the prevalence and methodology of quality assurance for B‐mode ultrasound image quality among veterinary sonographers

Image quality in B‐mode ultrasound is important as it reflects the diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic information provided during clinical scanning. Quality assurance programs for B‐mode ultrasound systems/components are comprised of initial quality acceptance testing and subsequent regularly scheduled quality control testing. The importance of quality assurance programs for B‐mode ultrasound image quality using ultrasound phantoms is well documented in the human medical and medical physics literature. The purpose of this prospective, cross‐sectional, survey study was to determine the prevalence and methodology of quality acceptance testing and quality control testing of image quality for ultrasound system/components among veterinary sonographers. An online electronic survey was sent to 1497 members of veterinary imaging organizations: the American College of Veterinary Radiology, the Veterinary Ultrasound Society, and the European Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, and a total of 167 responses were received. The results showed that the percentages of veterinary sonographers performing quality acceptance testing and quality control testing are 42% (64/151; 95% confidence interval 34–52%) and 26% (40/156: 95% confidence interval 19–33%) respectively. Of the respondents who claimed to have quality acceptance testing or quality control testing of image quality in place for their ultrasound system/components, 0% have performed quality acceptance testing or quality control testing correctly (quality acceptance testing 95% confidence interval: 0–6%, quality control testing 95% confidence interval: 0–11%). Further education and guidelines are recommended for veterinary sonographers in the area of quality acceptance testing and quality control testing for B‐mode ultrasound equipment/components.     

Evaluation of a technique for collection of cancellous bone graft from the proximal humerus in horses

OBJECTIVES: To describe a technique for collecting cancellous bone graft from the proximal humerus in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective evaluation of an experimental bone graft collection technique. ANIMAL POPULATION: Eight horses, 3-15 years, weighing 495-605 kg. METHODS: Horses were anesthetized and positioned in lateral recumbency. The lateral aspect of the proximal humerus was exposed by a 7-10-cm incision extending distally from the greater humeral tubercle, followed by sharp dissection through the omotransversarius muscle and between the infraspinatus and deltoideus muscles. A 12-mm cortical defect was incrementally created in the lateral proximal humerus. Human bone graft harvesting equipment (Acumed, Beaverton, OR) was drilled through this defect to collect a core of cancellous bone. In five horses additional cancellous bone was then collected with conventional instruments. Bone samples were weighed and histologically examined. Horses were monitored and graded for quality of anesthetic recovery, incisional complications, and postoperative lameness. RESULTS: Total mean (+/-SD) surgical time for harvesting bone with the Acumed system and traditional techniques (n=5) was 38+/-6 minutes (range, 32-47 minutes). Mean cancellous bone weight collected with the Acumed system was 3.6+/-0.8 g (range, 2.0-4.6 g), and cancellous bone collected conventionally was 25.6+/-7.5 g (range, 16.8-34.2 g). Minimal incisional complications or postoperative lameness were observed. Mortality was 12.5%; one horse fractured the operated humerus during anesthetic recovery. CONCLUSION: The Acumed system provided limited cancellous bone when used with the technique described. However, the quantity of cancellous bone collected with traditional harvesting instruments was comparable to other sites used in horses. The procedure was associated with minimal postoperative incisional complications or lameness, but because one horse suffered a catastrophic humeral fracture further research is required to assess the effects of this procedure on humeral breaking strength. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Based on the risk of catastrophic fracture, this technique cannot be recommended for use in clinical cases, especially if an unassisted recovery from general anesthesia is planned.     

FT‐Raman Spectra of Unsoaked and NaOH‐Soaked Wheat Kernels,Bran, and Ferulic Acid

The sodium hydroxide (NaOH) test for determining wheat color class depends on the observation that on soaking in NaOH, red wheat turns a darker red and white wheat turns straw yellow. To understand the mechanism of this test, Raman spectra of wheat bran, wheat starch, ferulic acid, and whole kernels of wheat, before and after NaOH soak, were studied. The major observable components in the whole kernel were that of starch, protein, and ferulic acid, perhaps esterified to arabinoxylan and sterols. When kernels are soaked in NaOH, spectral bands due to ferulic acid shift to lower energy and show a slightly reduced intensity that is consistent with deprotonation of the phenolic group and extraction of a portion of the ferulic acid into solution. Other phenolic acids, alkyl resorcinols, and flavonoids observed in the NaOH extracts of wheat by HPLC were not observed in the Raman spectra. Wheat bran accounts for most of the ferulic acid in the whole kernel, as indicated by the increased intensity of the doublet at 1,631 and 1,600 cm^‐1 in the bran. The intense starch band at 480 cm^‐1 in whole kernel wheat was nearly absent in the wheat bran.