COLLAGENASE CHEMONUCLEOLYSIS—A LONG TERM RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY IN NORMAL DOGS

Five clinically normal five year old dogs were used in this study. From a randomised table inter ver tebral discs were each injected with either collagenase or calcium chloride diluent. The surgically exposed cervical discs were injected with 50 units whereas thoracic and lumbar discs were injected under fluoroscopic guidance with 100 units of the enzyme. Postinjection radiographs revealed significant (p ≤ .05) disc space narrowing in enzyme injected discs. The cervical discs had the highest frequency of radiographic narrowing (87%) followed by the thoracic (70%) and lumbar (53%) discs. Spondylosis deformans developed at the sites of cervical enzyme injections. None of the dogs had neurologic abnormalities one year postinjection.     

THE INSENSITIVITY OF 99mTc PERTECHNETATE FOR DETECTING METASTASES OF A FUNCTIONAL THYROID CARCINOMA IN A DOG

This report describes the use of ^99mtechnetium pertechnetate (^99mTcO₄⁻) and ¹³¹[for imaging of a metastatic thyroid carcinoma in a dog. The ¹³¹] imaging showed metastatic lesions undetected by the ^99mTcO₄⁻ imaging on 2 separate occasions. The possible mechanisms for the discrepancies between ¹³¹I and ^99mTcO₄⁻ imaging of thyroid carcinomas are discussed. The use of ¹³¹I for the imaging of functional thyroid carcinomas in the dog is recommended.     

A BOOST TECHNIQUE FOR IRRADIATION OF MALIGNANT CANINE NASAL TUMORS

Eighteen dogs with malignant nasal cavity tumors were treated with radiation therapy, including a boost technique. Three 3:0 Gy boost doses were added to a treatment protocol consisting of sixteen 3.0 Gy daily fractions, bringing the total dose to 57 Gy. This boost technique was implemented without an associated increase in overall treatment time by giving the boost doses on a twice-a-day basis. Boost doses were given during the first half of the radiation therapy period. The treatment was completed as planned in 16 of the 18 dogs; two dogs received lower doses (51 and 54 Gy). Median survival was 177 days, poorer than in some other reported studies of nasal tumor irradiation. Acute effects were unacceptable, with 11 of the 18 dogs developing severe mucositis, desquamation, edema, swelling, and pruritus. The extensive nature of the acute reactions compromised assessment of the effect of the increased radiation dose on the tumor. Although there is justification for assessing more aggressive radiation protocols in canine nasal tumor patients, total doses approximating 60 Gy can not be given as described because of the inability of acutely responding normal tissues to compensate.     

Particle Size Distribution in Two Lipid Emulsions Used for the Enrichment of Artemia nauplii as a Function of Their Preparation Method and Storage Time

The present study examined the distribution of particle sizes in two experimental standardized lipid emulsions (distributed by ICES, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) as a function of the preparation method (hand shaking or ultrasonic blending) and as a function of storage time. A 24-h enrichment trial compared the incorporated HUFA levels in the nauplii of Artemia franciscana .
The emulsion droplets in the 50% HUFA emulsion (ICES 50, ethyl ester based) were much smaller than in the 30% HUFA emulsion (ICES 30, triacylglycerol-based) in which 90% of the droplets had a diameter below 12.3 μm as compared to 1.3 pn in ICES 50. The blending method highly affected particle sizes. High-shear blending instead of the classical hand shaking of the emulsion of both ICES 30 and 50 reduced the mean particle size from 5.06 to 1.07 μm and from 0.38 to 0.11 μm, respectively. The particle size distributions remained stable during the 1-wk storage, suggesting the absence of agglomeration or bacterial development. The fatty acid composition of 24-h enriched Artemia reflected differences in the HUFA profile of the emulsions, but was independent of observed differences in the size of the particles.