MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF EQUINE NIGROPALLIDAL ENCEPHALOMALACIA

Magnetic resonance imaging (MR) was used to make a diagnosis of equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia in a horse. Equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia is a neurodegenerative disease that has many characteristics with Parkinson-like diseases in humans. Historically, horses were euthanized based on clinical signs and exposure to the toxic weed, yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Previously, the disease has only been confirmed on necropsy. MR imaging can provide accurate and sensitive visualization of typical lesions seen in the brain of horses affected with equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia. Lesions were seen on T1-weighted, T2-weighted and proton density images. There was no contrast enhancement following Gd-DTPA administration. Lesions seen on MR were confirmed at necropsy. Using MR to confirm a diagnosis of equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia will prevent unnecessary suffering of horses and expense to owners that would otherwise incur, while further diagnostics are performed.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF MULTILOBULAR OSTEOCHONDROSARCOMA IN 3 DOGS

Three dogs with multilobular osteochondrosarcoma of the skull were evaluated using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Spin echo T1, T2, proton weighted and post contrast T1W images were obtained with a 1.5 Tesla magnet. The MR imaging findings were similar in all three dogs with mixed signal intensities in the T1W, T2W and proton weighted images and fairly large areas of contrast enhancement in the post contrast T1W images. The extent of brain and soft tissue involvement were well delineated and provided useful information concerning surgical planning. MR imaging provided a useful method of evaluating dogs with skull tumors.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS OF PRESUMED CEREBELLAR CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT IN TWELVE DOGS

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of presumed cerebrovascular accident in 12 dogs are described. Fourteen lesions were seen, commonly (11 of 14) within the gray matter of the cerebellar hemispheres or vermis. Thirteen lesions were hyperintense on T2-weighted images (in 11 dogs) and one was hypointense. Eleven of 14 lesions were within the region supplied by the rostral cerebellar artery or one of its main branches and there was no, or minimal, mass effect. Contrast enhancement was only seen in six lesions and was mild in all. Gradient-echo images provided additional information in two dogs. The appearance of infarction in dogs with diffusion-weighted images (DWI) is similar to that in humans, and provided supportive evidence for the diagnosis of infarction in five dogs. The use of gradient-echo and DWI is recommended for the evaluation of suspected cerebrovascular accidents in dogs. Six of the 12 affected animals were spaniels or spaniel crosses, suggesting a possible breed predisposition.     

Material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance imaging for investigation of neurologic signs

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential significance of finding material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Of 466 MR studies reviewed, an increased signal was identified in the tympanic bulla in 32 (7%) dogs. Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Cocker spaniels, Bulldogs, and Boxers were over-represented compared to the population of dogs having MR imaging. Five (16%) dogs had definite otitis media and one (3%) had a meningioma invading the middle ear. Of the remaining dogs, 13 (41%) had possible otitis media and 13 (41%) had neurologic conditions apparently unrelated to otitis media. The most common appearance of material in the middle ear was isointense in T1-weighted images and hyperintense in T2-weighted images. There was no apparent correlation between the signal characteristics of the material and the diagnosis. Enhanced signal after gadolinium administration was observed affecting the lining of the bulla in dogs with otitis media and in dogs with unrelated neurologic conditions. In dogs without clinical signs of otitis media, finding an increased signal in the middle ear during MR imaging may reflect subclinical otitis media or fluid accumulation unrelated to inflammation. Brachycephalic dogs may be predisposed to this condition.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS: MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF A CERVICAL WOODEN FOREIGN BODY IN A DOG

This article describes the discovery of a chronic cervical wooden foreign body ventral to the left transverse processes of the cranial cervical spine using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a dog that presented with chronic neck pain and lameness. The dog did not exhibit dysphagia or chronic draining tracts, the most common signs of the presumed cause, that of a penetrating oropharyngeal foreign body. The foreign body itself was represented on MR images as an oval straight-edged core within an inflammatory tissue reaction. The wood was slightly hyperintense on T2- and isointense on T1-weighted images relative to muscle. Surrounding this was a more conspicuous contrast-enhancing reactive tissue rim that was hyperintense on all pulse sequences. Adjacent musculature also exhibited diffuse edema and contrast enhancement that extended around the left cervical vertebral transverse processes and local intervertebral nerve roots. The foreign body was found to be a wooden stick upon surgical removal. MRI is an excellent method for visualizing the inflammatory tissue reactions associated with soft-tissue foreign bodies because of its contrast resolution and depiction of anatomy in multiple imaging planes.     

基于无人机成像高光谱的棉叶螨为害等级估测模型构建

为快速、实时、准确地了解新疆棉田棉叶螨(优势种为土耳其斯坦叶螨Tetranychus turkestani)的发生情况,利用高光谱图像中的7种植被指数,使用一般线性回归分析方法分别构建不同棉叶螨为害等级棉花冠层叶片叶绿素相对含量(用soil and plant analyzer development(SPAD)值表征)遥感估测模型和棉叶螨为害等级遥感估测模型,实现棉叶螨为害的实时监测。结果显示:不同棉叶螨为害等级对应的棉花冠层光谱反射率存在明显差异,棉叶螨为害等级与棉花冠层叶片SPAD值呈显著负相关关系。在7个不同棉叶螨为害等级对应的棉花冠层叶片SPAD遥感估测模型中,SPAD-红边归一化植被指数估测模型的估测决定系数为0.915,均方根误差为3.451,识别精确度显著高于其他模型。表明利用棉花冠层叶片SPAD遥感估测模型可快速无损地获取棉叶螨为害数据,构建的棉叶螨为害等级估测模型可用于植保人员快速准确获取棉叶螨为害情况。     

二维结合彩色多普勒超声对诊断乳腺肿块的价值

目的探讨二维及彩色多普勒超声(CDFI)对乳腺肿块鉴别诊断的价值。方法120例女性患者,术前应用二维超声观察乳腺肿块的大小、形态、位置、边界、包膜、内部回声;采用CDFI检测肿块周边及内部的血流形态、特点,并将彩色血流分为0~Ⅲ级。结果超声诊断乳腺肿块检出率为100%,良、恶性肿瘤超声诊断符合率分别为88.5%、85.7%。良性肿瘤多表现为边界光滑,侧缘回声减弱,CDFI血流分级以Ⅰ~Ⅱ级为主;恶性肿瘤多表现为形态不规则,边界不清,内部回声不均,CDFI血流分级以Ⅱ~Ⅲ级为主。恶性组的收缩期峰值流速(Vmax)、阻力指数(RI)、搏动指数(PI)分别为(28.2±7.3)cm/s、(0.78±0.09)、(1.8±0.3),良性组则分别为(13.5±6.7)cm/s、(0.63±0.07)、(1.2±0.2),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论二维超声联合CDFI在乳腺良恶性肿瘤的鉴别诊断中有较高的应用价值。