Longitudinal tendon healing assessed with multi-modality advanced imaging and tissue analysis.

Background: The range of diagnostic modalities available to evaluate superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injury includes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US). Direct, comprehensive comparison of multi-modality imaging characteristics to end-point data has not previously been performed using a model of tendinopathy but is required to obtain a better understanding of each modality's diagnostic capabilities.

Objective: To compare CT, MRI and US evaluation to outcome measures for histologic, biochemical and biomechanical parameters using an equine surgical model of tendinopathy.

Usefulness of caudomedial-craniolateral oblique radiographic views for the diagnosis of injury to the origin of the cranial cruciate ligament in two horses.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 12-year-old mixed-breed mare (horse 1) and 6-year-old Friesian gelding (horse 2) were examined for chronic lameness associated with the stifle joint. CLINICAL FINDINGS Lameness examination revealed effusion of the right (horse 1) or left (horse 2) femoropatellar and medial femorotibial joints and grade 3/5 (horse 1) or 4/5 (horse 2) lameness. A diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury with associated mineralization and avulsion (horse 1) or mineralization alone (horse 2) was facilitated in both horses with a caudomedial-craniolateral oblique radiographic view obtained 45° medial to the caudocranial line, which highlighted the origin of the ligament on the caudoaxial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle within the intercondylar fossa.

Evaluation of two methods for topical application of contrast medium to the pharyngeal and laryngeal region of horses.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pharyngeal and laryngeal distribution of radiopaque contrast medium administered orally or via nasopharyngeal catheter to standing horses. ANIMALS 5 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES A crossover study was conducted.

Associations between thoracic radiographic changes and severity of pulmonary arterial hypertension diagnosed in 60 dogs via Doppler echocardiography: A retrospective study.

Doppler echocardiography is a noninvasive method for estimating and grading pulmonary arterial hypertension. No current literature associates significance of radiographic findings with severity of pulmonary arterial hypertension. We hypothesized that the number and conspicuity of radiographic findings suggestive of pulmonary arterial hypertension would be greater based on the severity of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

COMPARISON BETWEEN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ARTHROGRAPHY, RADIOGRAPHY, ULTRASONOGRAPHY, AND ARTHROSCOPY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF FEMOROTIBIAL JOINT DISEASE IN WESTERN PERFORMANCE HORSES.

The femorotibial joints are a common source of lameness in Western performance horses. The objective of this prospective study was to compare the radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomographic arthrography (CTA), and arthroscopy findings in horses with lameness localized to the femorotibial joints. Twenty-five stifles in 24 horses were included and were evaluated with all four of these diagnostic methods.

Radiographic and histopathologic characteristics of pulmonary fibrosis in nine cats.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive fatal interstitial lung disease that is often idiopathic, occurs in multiple species, and may be caused by a number of inciting factors. The purpose of this retrospective, multicenter study was to describe the radiographic and histopathologic characteristics of idiopathic and induced pulmonary fibrosis in a group of cats. Cats with thoracic radiographs and histopathologically confirmed pulmonary fibrosis were recruited using the American College of Veterinary Radiology list serve.

Computed tomographic arthrography of the equine stifle joint.

Computed tomographic arthrography is an imaging technique used for the evaluation of the internal structures of a joint, especially the soft tissues and subchondral bone defects that may communicate with the joint space. Clinical indications, technical aspects, principles of image interpretation, and advantages and disadvantages of this imaging technique for the evaluation of the equine stifle joint are discussed in this article.

Assessment of blood pool, soft tissue, and skeletal uptake of sodium fluoride F 18 with positron emission tomography-computed tomography in four clinically normal dogs.

Objective: To determine the ideal interval to image acquisition after IV injection of sodium fluoride F 18 ((18)F-NaF) and evaluate biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical in clinically normal skeletally immature dogs.

Animals: 4 female dogs.

Procedures: Each dog was anesthetized for evaluation with a commercial hybrid positron emission tomography (PET)-CT instrument.

Assessment of the tissue diffusion of anesthetic agent following administration of a low palmar nerve block in horses.

Objective: To investigate tissue diffusion of anesthetic agent following administration of low palmar nerve blocks (LPBs) in horses.

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Animals: 12 adult horses.

Radiographic appearance of confirmed pulmonary lymphoma in cats and dogs.

Herein we describe the thoracic radiographic appearance of confirmed pulmonary lymphoma. Patients with thoracic radiographs and cytologically or histologically confirmed pulmonary lymphoma were sought by contacting American College of Veterinary Radiology members. Seven cats and 16 dogs met the inclusion criteria, ranging in age from 4 to 15 years.

Quantitative analysis of scintigraphic findings in tibial stress fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Objective: To develop a quantitative method of interpreting tibial scintigrams of Thoroughbred racehorses with tibial stress fractures that may facilitate diagnosis of fractures and to provide prognostic information regarding future performance of affected horses.

Animals: 35 Thoroughbred racehorses.

Procedures: Static bone-phase scintigrams of tibial stress fractures were quantitatively analyzed by use of ratios of the mean radionuclide counts per pixel in a region of interest (ROI) drawn around the area of increased uptake of radiopharmaceutical to mean counts per pixel in a second ROI drawn around an apparently normal area of the tibial diaphysis.

Association between renal hypoechoic subcapsular thickening and lymphosarcoma in cats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between renal hypoechoic subcapsular thickening observed ultrasonographically and the presence of renal lymphosarcoma in cats. The ultrasonography database was retrospectively searched for cats that underwent ultrasound examination and ultrasound guided needle renal aspirate, renal biopsy, or necropsy. One radiologist unaware of the final diagnosis evaluated the images for the presence of hypoechoic subcapsular thickening and other abnormal findings.

Radiographic sensitivity and negative predictive value for acute canine spinal trauma.

The objectives of this study were to establish the sensitivity and negative predictive value of radiography for acute spinal osseous lesions in the canine trauma patient, and to evaluate the interobserver variability in radiographic assessment of the spine in traumatized dogs. This was a retrospective multiple observer blinded study. The study population included 30 canine patients that presented following acute trauma, with clinical signs attributable to the spinal column.

Echocardiographic evidence of an aortico-pulmonary septal defect in a 4-day-old thoroughbred foal.

We describe the echocardiographic findings in a 4-day-old thoroughbred foal with an aortico-pulmonary septal defect. The foal had labored breathing, cyanotic mucous membranes and a continuous grade 5/6 heart murmur with point of maximal intensity over the base of the heart on the right side. Echocardiographically, there was a large communication between the aorta and the pulmonary artery just dorsal to the base of the heart.