Sensitivity and specificity of radiography for detection of elbow incongruity in clinical patients

Elbow incongruity is an important factor regarding the treatment and prognosis of elbow dysplasia. Our purpose was to determine the sensitivity and specificity for radiographic detection of elbow incongruity in clinical patients, to establish inter- and intraobserver variation for different parameters, and to evaluate the possibility of radiographic grading of incongruity. Standard radiographic projections were acquired from 29 incongruent and nine congruent elbows of dogs of various ages and breeds. Computed tomography (CT) was used to diagnose and grade the incongruity. All radiographs were evaluated by four observers for detection and grading of elbow incongruity. Sensitivity, specificity, inter- and intraobserver variability were calculated. The mean sensitivity for detection of incongruity was very good (88.8%) with a mean specificity of 91.7%. Correct grading of incongruity was difficult. The radioulnar step and the widening of the humeroulnar and humeroradial joint space were seen most frequently. Intraobserver and interobserver variability were fair to excellent (Kappa = 0.372-0.809), depending on the investigated parameters. Radiography is valuable to screen for elbow incongruity. In over 91% of the patients, a clear distinction could be made between a congruent and an incongruent joint grading was not possible.     

The use of delayed gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage and T2 mapping to evaluate articular cartilage in the normal canine elbow

Commonly used diagnostic tools used to evaluate articular cartilage lack the sensitivity, specificity, and objectivity to measure early changes associated with osteoarthritis. Two techniques using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have been developed to detect the biology of articular cartilage are delayed gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) and T2 mapping. Both techniques have been validated and are used to study the degenerative and adaptive nature of articular cartilage in people. The use of these techniques as a diagnostic tool in dogs has not been well described. We evaluated articular cartilage in the region of the medial coronoid process (MCP) of six healthy dogs free of detectable orthopedic disease using both MR imaging techniques. Histology and proteoglycan (PG) content of the MCP were used to confirm normal articular cartilage. All dogs had ground reaction forces consistent with normal function. Mean dGEMRIC index (T1 value) was 400 +/- 47 ms and mean T2 value was 56 +/- 8 ms. Intra- and interobserver variability was low. dGEMRIC and T2 values for normal cartilage in the elbow of the dog can be generated reproducibly using 3T MR imaging. Using these techniques as objective outcome measures for clinical studies in dogs with OA conditions should help delineate the efficacy of some disease interventions.     

Successful surgical management of a medial humeral epicondyle fracture in a Thoroughbred foal

A 2-week-old 75 kg Thoroughbred filly was presented for the investigation of an acute forelimb lameness. Radiographs revealed a fracture of the medial epicondylar physis of the left humerus (Salter–Harris type II fracture). The fragment was removed via arthrotomy under general anaesthesia. Two months post-operatively, the foal was sound and at 2 years had resumed normal turn out. This case report describes a previously unreported surgical treatment for a fracture of the medial epicondylar physis in a foal.     

Radiographic assessment of humeroulnar congruity in a medium and a large breed of dog

Elbow joint incongruity is recognized as an important factor in the development, treatment, and prognosis of canine elbow dysplasia. Elbow incongruity has been measured based on radiographic joint space widths, however these values can be affected by the degree of elbow joint flexion. Recent studies have reported radiographic curvature radii as more precise measures of humeroulnar congruity in dogs. The aim of this prospective observational study was to describe radiographic curvature radii measured from flexed and extended elbow radiographs for a sample of dogs representing a medium breed (Portuguese Pointing Dog) and a large breed (Estrela Mountain Dog). The curvature radii from the ulnar trochlear notch and humeral trochlea were measured in 114 mediolateral elbow extended radiographic views (30 Portuguese Pointing Dog and 27 Estrela Mountain Dog), and 84 mediolateral flexed views (22 Portuguese Pointing Dog and 20 Estrela Mountain Dog). The sampled animals' ages ranged from 12 to 84 months (34.6 ± 17.8 months). Good agreement was observed between curvature radii measurements for flexed vs. extended views in both breed groups. Ulnar trochlear notch curvature radii measurements were greater than humeral trochlea curvature radii measurements in both breed groups. Both curvature radii were greater in the large‐breed dog group vs. the medium‐breed dog group. Both breed groups had ulnar and humeral curves with similar typology. However, the large breed group had greater intermediate differences between the humeroulnar surface curvature radii. Results from this study supported the use of curvature radii as measures of humeroulnar congruity in mediolateral flexed elbow radiographs of medium and large breed dogs.     

RADIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE CANINE ELBOW JOINT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE MEDIAL HUMERAL CONDYLE AND THE MEDIAL CORONOID PROCESS

The results of radiographic examination of clinically affected elbow joints in 14 young, large-breed dogs, including standard and oblique projections and linear tomography, were compared with the findings of medial arthrotomy. Radiographs revealed arthrosis (13 dogs), osteochondrosis of the medial humeral condyle (2 dogs), fragmentation of the medial coronoid process (5 dogs), and a combination of osteochondrosis of the medial humeral condyle and fragmentation of the medial coronoid process (2 dogs). In one dog fissures in the medial coronoid process and in another dog a linear radiopacity along the articular surface of the medial coronoid process were found. In three dogs both medial humeral condyle and medial coronoid process appeared normal. The radiographic findings were confirmed during surgery in 11 dogs. Cartilage erosion of the medial humeral condyle in two dogs and of the medial coronoid process in one dog had not resulted in radiographically visible abnormalities. Radiographic examination of the elbow joints in young, large-breed dogs should include standard mediolateral and craniocaudal projections, a mediolateral projection with the joint maximally extended and the leg supinated 15°, and a craniolateral-to-caudomedial projection.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF CANINE ELBOW JOINTS AFFECTED BY PRIMARY AND CONCOMITANT FLEXOR ENTHESOPATHY

Flexor enthesopathy is an important differential diagnosis for elbow lameness in dogs. The disorder can be a primary cause of elbow lameness or concomitant with other elbow pathology. Since treatment differs for primary and concomitant forms of flexor enthesopathy, a noninvasive method for distinguishing between them is needed. In the current prospective study, computed tomographic (CT) examination was performed before and after IV injection of contrast in 17 dogs with primary flexor enthesopathy, 24 dogs with concomitant flexor enthesopathy, 13 dogs with elbow dysplasia, and seven normal dogs. Dogs were assigned to groups based on results of clinical examination and at least three other imaging modalities. Computed tomographic lesions consistent with flexor enthesopathy were found in all clinically affected joints with primary flexor enthesopathy and in 29 of the 30 clinically affected joints with concomitant flexor enthesopathy. Those lesions were not found in sound elbows or joints affected by elbow dysplasia. Flexor lesions detected in dogs with primary flexor enthesopathy were not significantly different from those detected in dogs with the concomitant form. Findings indicated that CT can be applied to detect flexor enthesopathy, but a distinction between the primary and concomitant forms was not always possible. Authors recommend the use of multiple diagnostic techniques for treatment planning in affected dogs.     

BONE SCINTIGRAPHY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF AN ABNORMAL MEDIAL CORONOID PROCESS IN DOGS

Few reports have been published regarding the use of scintigraphy in the diagnosis of elbow joint lameness in dogs. Some authors have speculated about the potential use of bone scintigraphy and its suspected high sensitivity for the early diagnosis of abnormalities of the medial coronoid process (MCP) in dogs. Scintigraphy is used routinely in our institution in dogs presented for thoracic limb lameness and/or suspected of abnormalities of the MCP when radiographic findings were equivocal. Radiographic, scintigraphic, and surgical findings of the elbow joints of 17 dogs with elbow joint lameness were compared with radiographic, scintigraphic, and necropsy findings of the elbow joints of 12 clinically healthy Labrador Retrievers. Quantitative evaluation of scintigraphic images was performed to determine relative radiopharmaceutical uptake in the region of the MCP. Maximum relative uptake of the coronoid process in the normal dogs was taken as a threshold value to classify elbows as positive or negative for an abnormal MCP after all 24 elbows of the 12 healthy dogs were confirmed as being normal at necropsy. All 17 elbows from lame dogs were positive on scintigraphy and confirmed as having chondromalacia, a fissure, or fragmentation of the MCP. Based on our results, bone scintigraphy may be a valuable diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of abnormalities of the MCP in dogs, and particularly in older dogs where clinical and radiographic changes may be ambiguous.     

肘形进水流道水力优化仿真计算与试验

为了分析大型泵站肘形进水流道的开挖量与流道水力损失及内部流态之间的变化规律,对流道设计进行了研究.设计了8组肘形进水流道方案,其中1-4组方案流道底板上翘角度不同(方案1底板上翘角为0),5-8组方案流道后壁弯曲段半径R不同.基于雷诺平均N-S方程和标准k-ε湍流模型,运用SIMPLEC算法,模拟了额定流量下肘形进水流道的8组方案三维流场.结果表明:1-4组,底板倾角不断抬高.当底板上翘7°时,流道水力损失只有略微增加,流道进口底板较方案1抬高1.15 m;继续增加底板倾角,水力损失明显增加.5-8组,流道后壁弯曲段半径R不断减小.当R为1.03倍叶轮直径时,水力损失较方案1增加14.5 mm(水力损失以水头高度表示),整体流道底板抬高0.36 m;若继续减小R值,水力损失明显增加.对优选的底板上翘7°流道方案进行模型试验.换算到原型后,流道水力损失与计算结果基本吻合.     

碗形包装酱汁猪肘方便菜的辐射保藏

本研究通过对生产原料和产品微生物污染水平的监测及产品辐照保藏效果的分析,确定碗形酱汁猪肘方便菜辐照杀菌最适宜的工艺及辐照剂量。研究表明,采用4.0～6.0kGy辐照杀菌,根据辐照后贮藏温度的不同,保质期可延长达2～6个月,其感观和理酱汁猪肘方便菜化指标均符合食品卫生标准。     

埋地油气管道弯头的强度计算

通过理论分析导出了埋地弯头附加弯矩的新计算公式,其推导依据是:“弹性抗弯铰”假设,不考虑弯头受到的土壤抗力,但考虑弯头承受的内压;土壤对直管道纵向位移的抗力与纵向位移的关系为双线性,即考虑弹性工作段和极限平衡段(塑性工作段);土壤对直管道横向位移的抗力满足Winkler假定;将弯头两端的直管看作半无限长的梁或杆;同时考虑温差和内压对管道位移的影响。将新公式的计算结果与有关油气管道设计规范推荐公式的计算结果进行了比较。讨论了弯头的强度验算方法和管土相互作用参数的确定方法。推荐了实用的埋地弯头强度设计计算公式。