Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound最新文献

Exploratory tenoscopy is considered the gold standard technique to identify intrathecal pathology of the equine carpal flexor tendon sheath (CFTS). Preoperative diagnosis allows for more precise prognostication and surgical planning, potentially associated with improved surgical outcomes. This prospective, descriptive, anatomical study aimed to describe the anatomy of the equine CFTS using noncontrast and contrast CT in clinically normal cadaver limbs. Ten pairs of equine forelimbs free of gross external abnormalities were examined from mid-antebrachium to distal metacarpus. Specimens initially underwent noncontrast CT examination using 135 kVp, dynamic mAs, and 1 mm slice thickness. Contrast media (iohexol) diluted in saline (total 60 mL, final concentration 75 mg/mL) was injected into the CFTS from a lateral approach before the CT examination was repeated. Tenoscopy was then performed using the conventional lateral approach. Dissection was used to compare the gross, tenoscopic, and imaging findings. The combined noncontrast CT and contrast CT examinations provided excellent anatomical detail of intrathecal and extrathecal structures. Detailed anatomy of the previously undescribed proximal mesotenon and manica of the common mesotenon were also identified. The distal termination of the CFTS was beyond the mid-metacarpus in most specimens, which is significantly more distal than previously reported. This is an important consideration when administering local anesthesia in orthopedic examinations to prevent potential iatrogenic CFTS penetration, which may induce sepsis if the aseptic technique is not followed. Noncontrast and contrast CT can be used to accurately identify CFTS anatomy. Documentation of new intrathecal structures provides a greater understanding of CFTS anatomy.

Early detection of renal deficient function is imperative for the success of treatments and determining prognosis. In horses, a renal ultrasound can be performed through the abdominal wall (TA) or transrectally (TR), being an important tool for the evaluation of the kidneys. Besides renal morphology, resistivity (RI) and pulsatility indexes (PI) may be early tools to detect renal injury as they reflect arterial compliance. Twenty-nine healthy adult horses were sonographically evaluated by TA and TR approaches, measuring RI and PI on both kidneys. The mean values from the TA for RI and PI in the right kidney were, respectively, 0.577 ± 0.072 and 0.950 ± 0.182, and 0.553 ± 0.077 and 0.884 ± 0.163 in the left kidney. As for the TR, the mean values for RI and PI in the right kidney were 0.543 ± 0.096 and 0.848 ± 0.212, respectively, and 0.551 ± 0.089 and 0.888 ± 0.204 in the left kidney. No differences (two-way ANOVA) were observed between the left and right kidneys [RI (p = .31) and PI (p = .24)] nor between techniques for both RI and PI, being relevant to state that data on the right kidney by the TR technique did not allow a reliable statistical evaluation. Obtaining good quality TR images in larger horses and satisfactory TA images in obese horses were important differences for each examination technique. In conclusion, there were no differences in RI and PI values obtained from abdominal or transrectal approaches.

Canine congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts originate from the right or left portal branch and are either intralobar or interlobar. A patent ductus venosus (PDV) is an interlobar shunt that arises from the left portal branch and traverses the ligamentum venosum fissure (LVF) between the left lateral liver lobe and the papillary process of the caudate liver lobe. Identifying the LVF may aid in PDV diagnosis during ultrasonography. In this prospective exploratory study, the ultrasonographic appearances of the LVF and adjacent structures were described in 24 dogs without hepatobiliary disease. Four intercostal acoustic windows were used, two on each side of the dog, and detectability of the following structures was recorded: aorta, left portal branch, caudal vena cava, papillary process, LVF, left lateral hepatic lobe, and ligamentum venosum. All structures were found in each dog from at least one window, with varying frequencies of detection per window. At least one window provided dynamic observation of the left lateral liver lobe, LVF, papillary process, and caudal vena cava aligned left to right, craniodorsal to and parallel with the long axis of the left portal branch. Probe placement on the left hypochondriac region (left dorsal to the xiphoid process) provided the best window, followed by the right hypochondriac region. More dorsal windows (costal regions) were less useful, especially on the left. The LVF was visible in all dogs (100%) from the left hypochondriac window and in 19 dogs (79%) from the right hypochondriac window, justifying further investigation in dogs with intrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

Longissimus muscles (LM) in sheep are important for animal scientists who study meat quality and translational researchers who study thoracolumbar spinal disease. Computed tomography (CT) is an established technique for characterizing paraspinal muscles in sheep; however, studies reporting reproducibility of CT measures using open-source software are lacking. The objectives of this prospective pilot study were to develop a standardized protocol for measuring LM area and density in sheep using CT and to determine the reproducibility for measurements. Thoracolumbar CT images were acquired for four sheep at five time points each as part of another study. Six observers applied a standardized CT image analysis protocol to record triplicate transverse area (cm²) and water phantom-corrected mean density (Hounsfield units, HU) values for the left and right LM. Average coefficients of variation (CVs) for 4 of 6 observers were good to excellent (<10%) for all variables. Average CVs did not differ among observers for 3 of 4 variables (ANOVA, p > .05).

Evaluating the morphological changes of the tympanic bulla and the contrast enhancement (CE) patterns are key factors in diagnosing otitis media and predicting its underlying etiology. However, limited research exists on the CE patterns of the tympanic bulla in cats with bulla effusion. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the prevalence and patterns of CE in the tympanic bulla based on the presence and severity of bulla effusion in cats. Feline head CT or brain MRI images from six institutions were analyzed. Transverse pre- and postcontrast CT and MRI images were reviewed to assess the presence and severity of bulla effusion, along with the presence, pattern, and location of tympanic bulla CE. A total of 644 tympanic bullae from 322 cats were included. Bulla effusion was detected in 105 of 644 bullae, while CE was observed in 73 of 644 bullae: 5 of 539 bullae without effusion and 68 of 105 bullae with effusion. CE was significantly more common in cats with bulla effusion, with the incidence increasing as effusion severity progressed. Focal rim enhancement, predominantly localized to the dorsal aspect of the tympanic bulla, was the most frequent enhancement pattern. In cases with mild or moderate bulla effusion, only focal dorsal enhancement was observed. However, in cats with severe bulla effusion, additional patterns, including focal ventral or lateral, complete rim, and internal enhancement, emerged. These findings suggest that both the incidence and patterns of CE evolve with the progression of bulla effusion in cats and that focal dorsal enhancement may be an early indicator.

A 13-year-old male neutered Labradoodle presented with a 1-year history of gagging, retching, coughing, and stridor. Physical examination revealed large pedunculated tonsillar masses, confirmed by CT imaging to be obstructing the upper airway, and concurrent laryngeal paralysis. The larger mass, originating from the left tonsillar crypt, extended into the nasopharynx, while a smaller mass was identified on the right. A bilateral tonsillectomy was performed, histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of tonsillar polyps and postoperative recovery was uneventful. Based on our literature research, this is the first reported case of bilateral tonsillar polyps in a dog described on CT.

A 3-year-old neutered male Labrador Retriever was referred for investigation of a painless, palpable swelling on the right shoulder. Computed tomography identified a well-defined mass with attenuation characteristics of fat, soft tissue, and mineralization. A surgical excision followed by histopathology confirmed an ossifying chondrolipoma. Postoperative follow-up showed no complications or recurrence at the 6-month recheck. Ossifying chondrolipoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue neoplasms.

Sacroiliitis is a rare pathology recently reported in the veterinary literature, mainly in large-breed dogs. The main associated clinical signs are lumbosacral pain and/or lameness of one or both hindlimbs. However, it is a nonspecific presentation and can be mistaken for other clinical disorders with a higher prevalence, such as caudal lumbar disc herniation or degenerative lumbosacral stenosis, among others. The present report describes the MRI findings in a German shepherd dog with unilateral sacroiliitis secondary to a possible trauma and the relevance of advanced imaging techniques in these patients.

In small animal practice, patients often present with urinary lithiasis, and prediction of urolith composition is essential to determine the appropriate treatment. Through abdominal radiographs, the composition of mineral radiopaque uroliths can be determined by considering many different factors; this can be complex and, as such, tailor-made for the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The Minnesota Urolith Center partnered with Hill's Pet Nutrition to develop a deep learning AI algorithm (CALCurad) within a smartphone application called the MN Urolith Application that allows for the preliminary assessment of urolith composition. The algorithm provides the probability of a urolith being composed of struvite from an image taken of an abdominal radiograph. This pilot study evaluates the accuracy of the CALCurad in the context of clinical practice. A sample population of 139 dogs was considered, and the results obtained by the CALCurad were compared with the results obtained by infrared spectroscopy analysis. Agreement between the application and quantitative analyses was 81.3%. These results suggest that the CALCurad can effectively be used to predict urolith composition in dogs, helping the clinician to decide between medical and surgical management of the patient. The use of the CALCurad is an example of the usefulness of AI in helping veterinarians make clinical decisions in patient care.

A 3-year-old male castrated domestic ferret presented with a 24 h history of lethargy, weakness, and anorexia. The ferret was tachypneic, painful, dehydrated, pale, and obtunded on physical examination. Radiographs and thoracic CT were utilized to diagnose a 360° right cranial lung lobe torsion (LLT) with secondary pneumothorax and pleural effusion. This was confirmed on gross necropsy and histopathology. The LLT was suspected to be secondary to previous trauma based on chronic bilateral rib fractures. Lung lobe torsions are life-threatening conditions infrequently described in veterinary medicine. Based on our review of the literature, this is the first description of an LLT in a ferret.