Effects of stifle flexion angle and scan plane on visibility of the normal canine cranial cruciate ligament using low-field magnetic resonance imaging.

Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to evaluate dogs with suspected cranial cruciate ligament injury; however, effects of stifle positioning and scan plane on visualization of the ligament are incompletely understood. Six stifle joints (one pilot, five test) were collected from dogs that were scheduled for euthanasia due to reasons unrelated to the stifle joint. Each stifle joint was scanned in three angles of flexion (90°, 135°, 145°) and eight scan planes (three dorsal, three axial, two sagittal), using the same low-field MRI scanner and T2-weighted fast spin echo scan protocol.

Distal border fragments of the equine navicular bone: association between magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and clinical lameness.

Distal border fragments of the navicular bone are increasingly being detected due to the improved capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but their clinical significance remains unclear. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the location, size, and frequency of fragments in a cohort of horses presented for MRI of the foot and to compare MRI findings with severity of lameness. Archived MRI studies and medical records were searched from March 2006 to June 2008.

Evaluation of three miniplate systems for fracture stabilization in pigeons (Columba livia).

Bone plates are rarely used in avian fracture management for several reasons, and until recently, there was no plating system considered appropriate for use in birds with a body mass less than 500 g. To evaluate 3 different miniplate systems in avian fracture repair, 3 groups (A, B, and C) of 6 pigeons (Columba livia) each were used. The left ulna and radius of the pigeons were transected, and the ulna was stabilized.

Use of intravenous gadolinium contrast in equine magnetic resonance imaging.

The use of intravenous gadolinium contrast during equine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new technique that has been infrequently used in clinical imaging. This article describes the development of an effective contrast dose and the use of gadolinium contrast in clinical equine MRI. Gadolinium contrast improves lesion conspicuity across a broad range of lesion types.

Chronic hypertrophic ganglioneuritis mimicking spinal nerve neoplasia: clinical, imaging, pathologic findings, and outcome after surgical treatment.

Objective: To report the clinical, imaging, pathologic findings, surgical planning, and long-term outcome after surgery in a dog with neurologic deficits because of a hypertrophic ganglioneuritis that compressed the spinal cord.

Study Design: Clinical report.

Animal: An 8-year-old male intact Yorkshire terrier.

Comparison of radiography, nuclear scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging for detection of specific conditions of the distal tarsal bones of horses: 20 cases (2006-2010).

Objective: To describe pathological findings identified with MRI in the distal tarsal bones of horses with unilateral hind limb lameness attributable to tarsal pain and to compare the usefulness of MRI with that of radiography and nuclear scintigraphy in evaluation of this region.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 20 lame horses.

Resolution of lesions on STIR images is associated with improved lameness status in horses.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is important in diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries in horses. However, there is still much to learn regarding the significance of lesions identified in equine MR images. Of particular importance is the clinical significance of signal change as a function of pulse sequence.

Hospital, radiology, and picture archiving and communication systems.

Images generated during the course of patient evaluation and management are an integral part of the medical record and must be retained according to local regulations. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) makes it possible for images from many different imaging modalities to be distributed via a standard internet network to distant viewing workstations and a central archive in an almost seamless fashion. The DICOM standard is a truly universal standard for the dissemination of medical images.

Magnetic resonance imaging of acquired trigeminal nerve disorders in six dogs.

The medical records and magnetic resonance (MR) images of dogs with an acquired trigeminal nerve disorder were reviewed retrospectively. Trigeminal nerve dysfunction was present in six dogs with histologic confirmation of etiology. A histopathologic diagnosis of neuritis (n=2) or nerve sheath tumor (n=4) was made.