Multiscale image processing and antiscatter grids in digital radiography.

Scatter radiation is a source of noise and results in decreased signal-to-noise ratio and thus decreased image quality in digital radiography. We determined subjectively whether a digitally processed image made without a grid would be of similar quality to an image made with a grid but without image processing. Additionally the effects of exposure dose and of a using a grid with digital radiography on overall image quality were studied.

Effect of infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus on pulmonary clearance of an inhaled antigen in calves.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) on clearance of inhaled antigens from the lungs of calves.

Animals: Eleven 6- to 8-week-old Holstein bull calves.

Procedures: Aerosolized (99m)technetium ((99m)Tc)-labeled diethylene triamine pentacetate (DTPA; 3 calves), commonly used to measure integrity of the pulmonary epithelium, and (99m)Tc-labeled ovalbumin (OA; 8 calves), commonly used as a prototype allergen, were used to evaluate pulmonary clearance before, during, and after experimentally induced infection with BRSV or sham inoculation with BRSV.

Measurement of equine laminar blood flow and vascular permeability by use of dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

Objective: To define the reference range for laminar blood flow (BF) and vascular permeability (VPM) in horses without laminitis by use of dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).

Animals: 9 adult horses that were not lame and had no abnormalities of the laminae or phalanges detectable via radiographic examination.

Procedures: Each horse was anesthetized by use of a routine protocol.

Digital radiography artifacts.

Radiographic artifacts may mimic a clinical feature, impair image quality, or obscure abnormalities. With the development of digital radiography (DR), a new set of artifacts is introduced. Regardless of the technology, the classic technical errors that occur with film screen radiography still occur using DR.

Intraarterial contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the equine distal extremity.

A technique for regional delivery of contrast medium to the foot of the horse to increase the diagnostic utility of computed tomography (CT) for the characterization of soft tissue structures within the hoof capsule was developed. An intraarterial catheter was placed under ultrasound guidance into the medial palmar artery at the level of the carpus to facilitate a steady-state infusion of iodinated contrast medium. Two 5 mm collimated contiguous acquisition CT scans were performed in 10 horses without lameness or radiographic evidence of distal sesamoid bone degeneration.

Comparison of arthroscopic and radiographic abnormalities in the hip joints of juvenile dogs with hip dysplasia.

Objective: To compare radiographic and arthroscopic abnormalities in juvenile dogs with clinically apparent hip dysplasia.

Design: Case series.

Animals: 52 dogs (70 hip joints) with clinical signs of hip dysplasia scheduled to undergo triple pelvic osteotomy.

Use of computed tomography angiography to evaluate the vascular anatomy of the distal portion of the forelimb of horses.

Objective: To provide a detailed description of the vascular anatomy of the distal portion of the forelimbs of horses by use of computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Sample Population: 6 forelimbs of 5 horses and 1 forelimb from an equine cadaver; none of the horses had orthopedic or vascular disease.

Procedure: Horses were anesthetized and CTA was conducted on the dependent forelimb.

A non-invasive method for measurement of gastric emptying in mice: effects of altering fat content and CCK A receptor blockade.

The ability to make repetitive non-invasive measurements of gastric emptying of nutritive solids in awake, unstressed mice is highly desirable. The aim of the present study was to develop such a technique using nuclear scintigraphy and diets differing in triglyceride content. Awake mice were accustomed to light restraint and to feeding cooked, egg white (0.

Postoperative assessment of surgical clip position in 16 dogs with cancer: a pilot study.

Metallic hemoclips or surgical staples were inserted in 16 tumor-bearing dogs at the time of surgical resection of the tumor. Orthogonal radiographs were taken immediately postoperatively and after wound healing to visualize the location and number of hemoclips or metallic staples. A shift in hemoclip/staple position was identified in nine dogs, mainly from positioning during radiography.

Inheritance of cricopharyngeal dysfunction in Golden Retrievers.

Objective: To characterize a genetic component to cricopharyngeal dysfunction (CD) in Golden Retrievers.

Animals: 117 dogs.

Procedure: The CD phenotype was determined by videofluoroscopy, and dogs were classified as affected if the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) did not open, if there were morphologic abnormalities of the UES, or if opening of the UES was delayed for > or = 6 videofluoroscopic frames (0.

On the ultrasonic properties of tendon.

The strong dependence of tendon echogenicity on insonation angle is explored by analyzing echo spectra. Combining echo spectra with high-resolution images from several modalities reveals that fluid spaces surrounding fascicles and bundles are likely sources of ultrasonic scatter. Mathematical models of tendon structure are proposed to explain how the anisotropic microstructure of tendon gives rise to angle-dependent echogenicity.

Self-retaining braces for canine arthroscopy.

Objective: To describe self-retaining braces for canine shoulder, elbow, hip, and stifle arthroscopy.

Study Design: Clinical design and application.

Sample Population: Clinical patients admitted for elective arthroscopy.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency heat ablation for treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats.

Objective: To determine efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency heat ablation for treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats.

Design: Prospective study.

Animals: 9 cats.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis-small bowel infarction in a cat.

An 8-year-old, domestic short hair cat with a known history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and previous aortic thromboembolism was presented for 24 h of vomiting and pyrexia. Initial abdominal radiographs were unremarkable. On an upper gastrointestinal series, delayed gastric emptying and prolonged small intestinal transit time were found.

Computed tomographic appearance of osteochondritis dissecans-like lesions of the proximal articular surface of the proximal phalanx in a horse.

A 6-year-old Thoroughbred gelding presented with a left forelimb lameness. The results of lameness examination, radiography, nuclear scintigraphy, and computed tomography are presented. Based on the diagnostic imaging, subchondral fractures and osteochondritis dissecans lesions of the proximal articular surface of the proximal phalanx were diagnosed.

Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for estimating intramedullary osteosarcoma extent in pre-operative planning of canine limb-salvage procedures.

The objective of this work was to compare the accuracy of radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for estimating appendicular osteosarcoma margins. The accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and bone scintigraphy was also assessed when these studies were available. Eight dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma underwent radiographic and MRI of affected limbs.

Sensitivity of radiographic evaluation of radio-ulnar incongruence in the dog in vitro.

Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of radiographic evaluation of radio-ulnar incongruence in canine elbow joints in vitro.

Study Design: Radiographic evaluation of induced radio-ulnar incongruence in canine cadaveric forelimbs by radiologists blinded to study design.

Sample Population: Six cadaveric canine left forelimbs.

Intervertebral disc extrusion in six cats.

Existing reports concerning intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) have focused almost exclusively on dogs, although a small number of individual case reports of IVDD of cats has been published. The medical records of six cats with IVDD were reviewed. Radiographic studies confirmed narrowed intervertebral disc spaces, mineralised intervertebral discs, and one or more extradural compressive lesions of the spinal cord in each cat.

Use of percutaneous ethanol injection for treatment of bilateral hyperplastic thyroid nodules in cats.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for the treatment of hyperthyroidism caused by bilateral hyperplastic thyroid nodules in cats. DESIGN; Prospective study.

Animals: 7 cats.

Evaluation of interoperator variance in shunt fraction calculation after transcolonic scintigraphy for diagnosis of portosystemic shunts in dogs and cats.

Objective: To determine interoperator variance in shunt fraction calculation.

Design: Case series.

Sample Population: 101 transrectal portoscintigraphic studies.

Percutaneous ultrasonographically guided radiofrequency heat ablation for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism in dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasonographically guided radiofrequency heat ablation of parathyroid masses in dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Design: Clinical trial.

Animals: 11 dogs.

Efficacy of a single oral dose of isorsorbide 5-mononitrate in normal dogs and in dogs with congestive heart failure.

Isosorbide 5-mononitrate (5-ISMN) was evaluated in normal dogs and dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) in a randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled study. Equilibrium blood pool imaging was used to detect changes in regional blood volume distribution. Six normal dogs were administered placebo, 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg 5-ISMN PO on separate days with a 1-week washout period between randomized dosings.