鹅颈动脉颈神经的解剖学观察和溃变法研究

鹅颈动脉颈神经分布到颈动脉上的神经丛有两种情况：有神经节与无神经节。溃变结果表明在颈前神经节和颈交感干神经节上都出现有溃变细胞，说明颈动脉神经中至少含有由颈前神经节的节后纤维和经由颈交感干神经节的节前与节后纤维。颈动脉颈神经在第１５～１６颈椎段从两侧颈长肌缝中走出分布于皮下。     

Thermoregulatory capacity of the Thoroughbred racehorse and its relationship to the pathogenesis of exertional heat illness

When racehorses fail to thermoregulate effectively, whether due to intrinsic or extrinsic factors, a condition called exertional heat illness (EHI) may occur, which can be life-threatening and represents a significant welfare issue. Horses usually become affected in the recovery phase soon after racing, so that a knowledge of the ‘normal’ thermoregulatory processes which operate at this time and their variations is essential to enable early detection of EHI. Racing in hot or warm and humid weather conditions represents the upper extreme of thermoregulatory variations, and observations on how horses normally recover at the racetrack may provide a clearer perspective on the physiology of that process for all sports horses. This review focuses on the post-exercise thermoregulatory capacity of the Thoroughbred racehorse, with a view to understanding the physiological mechanisms that should efficiently dissipate excess heat. The clinical manifestations of exertional heat illness are due to inadequate or harmful physiological responses, and if recognised and treated early can be effectively curtailed.     

Ultrasound-guided retrobulbar nerve block in donkey cadavers

ObjectiveTo develop and describe an acoustic window to access and inject the retrobulbar region in donkey cadavers.Study designProspective cadaveric experimental study.AnimalsA total of 14 donkey cadaver heads.MethodsUltrasound landmarks for retrobulbar injection were identified by dissection of two cadavers. Ultrasound-guided retrobulbar injection of 3, 6 and 9 mL of contrast–lidocaine mixture (1:1) were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) in 12 cadavers for needle position and spread of injectate into the extraocular muscle cone.ResultsReal-time visualization of needle, extraocular muscle cone and optic nerve enabled successful intraconal instillation of injectate, as documented on CT images.Conclusions and clinical relevanceUltrasound-guided retrobulbar injections in cadaver donkeys provided adequate infiltration of the intraconal space.     

Where does it hurt? Problems with interpretation of regional and intra‐synovial diagnostic analgesia

Detailed clinical evaluation and diagnostic analgesia are crucial for accurate lameness diagnosis. This review discusses the ways in which local analgesic techniques can cause confusion and highlights how important it is to recognise that the majority of methods are less specific than was formerly thought. Interpretation of responses must be done together with the results of clinical examination and careful assessment of diagnostic images. With the knowledge of false negative and false positive results of local analgesic techniques and the recognition that there may be more than one focus of pain contributing to lameness, it is still possible to reach accurate diagnoses, provided that a logical, thoughtful approach is utilised.     

The use of a nerve stimulation test to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats

ObjectiveTo determine if a nerve stimulation test (NST) could act as a monitoring technique to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats.Study designProspective experimental trial in a clinical setting.AnimalsTwenty-four adult cats, scheduled for a therapeutic procedure where epidural anesthesia was indicated.MethodsUnder general anesthesia, an insulated needle was inserted through the S₃-Cd₁ intervertebral space guided by the application of a fixed electrical current (0.7 mA) until a motor response was obtained. The NST was considered positive when the epidural nerve stimulation produced a motor response of the muscles of the tail, whereas it was considered negative when no motor response was evoked. In the NST positive cases, 0.3 mL kg⁻¹ of 0.5% bupivacaine was administrated before needle withdrawal. Ten minutes after injection, epidural blockade was confirmed by the loss of perineal (anal), and pelvic limbs reflexes (patellar and withdrawal).ResultsThe use of a fixed electrical stimulation current of 0.7 mA resulted in correct prediction of sacrococcygeal epidural injection, corroborated by post bupivacaine loss of perineal and pelvic limb reflexes, in 95.8% of the cases.Conclusion and clinical relevanceThis study demonstrates the feasibility of using, in a clinical setting, an electrical stimulation test as an objective and in real-time method to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats.     

Geographic Information System‐Based Analysis of the Spatial and Spatio‐Temporal Distribution of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Golestan Province,North‐East of Iran

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), a vector‐borne disease, poses serious psychological as well as social and economic burden to many rural areas of Iran. The main objectives of this study were to analyse yearly spatial distribution and the possible spatial and spatio‐temporal clusters of the disease to better understand spatio‐temporal epidemiological aspects of ZCL in rural areas of an endemic province, located in north‐east of Iran. Cross‐sectional survey was performed on 2983 recorded cases during the period of 2010–2012 at village level throughout the study area. Global clustering methods including the average nearest‐neighbour distance, Moran's I, general G indices and Ripley's K‐function were applied to investigate the annual spatial distribution of the existing point patterns. Presence of spatial and spatio‐temporal clusters was investigated using the spatial and space–time scan statistics. For each year, semivariogram analysis and all global clustering methods indicated meaningful persistent spatial autocorrelation and highly clustered distribution of ZCL, respectively. Eight significant spatial clusters, mainly located in north and northeast of the province, and one space–time cluster, observed in northern part of the province and during the period of September 2010–November 2010, were detected. Comparison of the location of ZCL clusters with environmental conditions of the study area showed that 97.8% of cases in clusters were located at low altitudes below 725 m above sea level with predominantly arid and semi‐arid climates and poor socio‐economic conditions. The identified clusters highlight high‐risk areas requiring special plans and resources for more close monitoring and control of the disease.     

Establishment of a Method to Measure Length of the Ulnar Nerve and Standardize F-wave Values in Clinically Normal Beagles

We designed a new method of measuring the length of the ulnar nerve and determining standard values for F-wave parameters of the ulnar nerve in clinically normal beagles. Nerve length must be precisely measured to determine F-wave latency and conduction velocity. The length of the forelimb has served as the length of the ulnar nerve for F-wave assessments, but report indicates that F-wave latency is proportional to the length of the pathway traveled by nerve impulses. Therefore, we measured the surface distance from a stimulus point to the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra (nerve length 1) and the anterior horn of the scapula (nerve length 2) as landmarks through the olecranon and the shoulder blade acromion. The correlation coefficients between the shortest F-wave latency and the length of nerves 1, 2 or the forelimb were 0.61, 0.7 and 0.58. Nerve length 2 generated the highest value. Furthermore, the anterior horn of the scapula was easily palpated in any dog regardless of well-fed body. We concluded that nerve length 2 was optimal for measuring the length of the ulnar nerve.     

Subcutaneous Soft Tissue Sarcoma with Rhabdoid Features in a Dog

A nine-year-old male beagle dog had a white spherical mass in the subcutis of the left lumbar region. Microscopically, spindle to oval cells diffusely proliferated in the fibrous and myxoid stroma. Many neoplastic cells showed rhabdoid features or vacuolated cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin and S100 and partly positive for neuron-specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein but were negative for von Willebrand factor, desmin and α-smooth muscle actin. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells had abundant cytoplasmic processes and desmosome-like structures. Cytoplasmic inclusions of rhabdoid-featured cells in HE sections were composed of aggregates of intermediate filaments, and cytoplasmic vacuoles were identified as an invagination of cytoplasm. Although malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor was suggested according to these results, the present case was diagnosed as a soft tissue sarcoma with rhabdoid features due to a lack of identification of the basal lamina under electron microscopy.