Gaming Preferences and Motivations Among Bullied Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: An Interview Study.

Objective: Game-based interventions can easily disseminate health information to hard-to-reach populations, such as sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY; e.g., gay/lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth). SGMY disproportionately experience health problems, which have been attributed to greater violence victimization, such as bullying. Nevertheless, few interventions exist to improve health outcomes for bullied SGMY. Since game-based interventions offer economically viable and easily scalable solutions, we explored why bullied SGMY play games, the gaming characteristics they enjoy, and their preferences for future game-based interventions. Materials and Methods: We conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with 20 14- to 18-year-old U.S.-residing bullied SGMY recruited from social media. We asked participants about their current gaming experiences, preferences, and suggestions for future games and then conducted thematic analysis. Results: The majority of SGMY reported playing games to experience positive feelings associated with higher degrees of agency. Through controlling in-game storyline and character customization settings, SGMY described feeling safe and engaged in game play. In addition, SGMY reported playing games as a distraction from the real world. Coping with stress and other negative emotions was a commonly reported motivation for playing games, as was gleaning happiness independent from stress management. Furthermore, SGMY mentioned using games to connect with people, both in-person and virtually, to develop and maintain friendships. Conclusion: This study highlights specific methods of tailoring games to the interests of bullied SGMY. In addition, our findings are preliminary indicators that SGMY may use games to achieve healthy psychosocial developmental milestones. This study may be integral in informing the development of future game-based interventions for SGMY.

Evaluation of bronchial narrowing in coughing dogs with heart murmurs using computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The origin of cough in dogs with heart murmurs is controversial, because the cough could be primary cardiac (eg, pulmonary edema, bronchi compression by left-sided cardiomegaly) or respiratory (eg, bronchomalacia, other bronchial or bronchiolar disease, interstitial lung disease) in origin. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To study the association between left atrium (LA) dilatation and cardiomegaly and bronchial narrowing in coughing dogs with heart murmurs using computed tomography (CT). ANIMALS: Twenty-one client-owned coughing dogs with heart murmurs and 14 historical control dogs. METHODS: Dogs with cough and murmur were prospectively recruited over 4 months. Cervical and thoracic radiography, echocardiography, and thoracic CT were performed in enrolled dogs. Control dogs, with no disease on thoracic CT and no records of heart murmur and coughing, were gathered from the institution's computerized database. Degree of bronchial narrowing was assessed using the bronchial-to-aorta (Ao) ratio, measured by 3 radiologists blinded to the clinical findings. After identifying bronchi that were significantly narrowed in dogs with murmur compared to controls, the relationship between degree of narrowing and LA/Ao ratio (measured echocardiographically) and vertebral heart scale (VHS) measured radiographically was studied in dogs with murmur using mixed-effects regression. RESULT: Significant narrowing was identified for all left-sided bronchi and the right principal, middle, and caudal bronchi in the coughing dogs, compared with controls. Increasing LA size and VHS were significantly inversely associated with diameter for all left-sided and right-sided bronchi indicated above. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Results indicate an association between LA enlargement and cardiomegaly and bronchial narrowing and support heart size-associated exacerbation of cough in dogs with murmurs.

BODY CONDITION OF EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) EVALUATED BY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY.

Conservation efforts determining the health status of individuals can aid in assessing population health and sustainability. Body condition was determined in 65 free-ranging Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) from four locations in Vermilion County, Illinois, in the months of May, July, and September 2014, 2015, and 2016 using computed tomography (CT). Physical examinations were performed to determine morphometric measurements, and CT scans measured body fat. Twenty-three linear models were constructed to determine which morphometric measurements best correlated to fat content. The top two models of body fat included a relationship between mass and carapace width. Fat increases as both mass and carapace width increase. CT, while impractical for daily use, improved on previous methods of measuring body condition and created a calculation that can be applied broadly to Eastern box turtles. By understanding how measurements of mass and carapace width correlate to body condition, practitioners, researchers, and conservationists can evaluate chelonians with increased confidence in the accuracy of their assessment.

Evaluation of the agreement between focused assessment with sonography for trauma (AFAST/TFAST) and computed tomography in dogs and cats with recent trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the agreement between focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) exams and computed tomography (CT) for the detection of pleural and peritoneal fluid and pneumothorax in animals that have sustained recent trauma. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University Teaching Hospital. ANIMALS: Thirteen dogs and 2 cats were enrolled into the study, with 10 having sustained blunt force trauma and 5 penetrating trauma. INTERVENTIONS: Abdominal FAST (AFAST) and thoracic FAST (TFAST) exams were performed by emergency room (ER) clinician or house officers and radiology house officers (radiology). TFAST evaluated for the presence of pneumothorax and pleural effusion, and AFAST evaluated for the presence of peritoneal effusion. A minimally sedated, full-body CT exam was performed on each patient and interpreted by a board-certified radiologist. The exams were performed in the same order for all patients: ER FAST, followed by radiology FAST, followed by CT, and operators were blinded to the results of the other exams. A kappa statistic was calculated to assess for agreement between the FAST exams and CT. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median time to perform all 3 exams was 55 minutes (range 30-150 min). There was moderate to excellent agreement between AFAST and CT for detection of free peritoneal fluid (ER K = 0.82; radiology K = 0.53), fair to moderate agreement between TFAST and CT for detection of pleural free fluid (ER K = 0.53; radiology K = 0.36), and poor agreement between TFAST and CT for detection of pneumothorax (ER K = -0.06; radiology K = -0.12). CONCLUSIONS: FAST exams reliably identify the presence of free fluid in the peritoneal and pleural cavities; however, TFAST is not a reliable method to diagnose pneumothorax in dogs and cats following trauma.

Detection of intra-cardiac thrombi and congestive heart failure in cats using computed tomographic angiography.

Arterial thromboembolism is a life-threatening condition in cats most commonly secondary to cardiac disease. Echocardiography is the reference standard to evaluate for presence of a thrombus. In humans, computed tomographic (CT) angiography is becoming widely used to detect left atrial thrombi precluding the use of sedation. The purpose of this prospective, controlled, methods comparison pilot study was threefold: (1) describe new CT angiography protocol used in awake cats with cardiac disease and congestive heart failure; (2) determine accuracy of continuous and dynamic acquisition CT angiography to identify and characterize cardiac thrombi from spontaneous echocardiographic contrast using transthoracic echocardiography as our reference standard; (3) identify known negative prognostic factors and comorbidities of the thorax that CT angiography may provide that complement or supersede echocardiographic examination. Fourteen cats with heart disease were recruited; 7 with thrombi and 7 with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast. Echocardiography and awake CT angiography were performed using a microdose of contrast. Six of 7 thrombi were identified on CT angiography as filling defects by at least one reviewer within the left auricle (n = 6) and right heart (n = 1). Highest sensitivity (71.4%) was in continuous phase and highest specificity (85.7%) was in dynamic studies with fair to moderate interobserver agreement (0.38 and 0.44). CT angiography identified prognostic cardiac information (left atrial enlargement, congestive heart failure, arterial thromboembolism) and comorbidities (suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, asthma). This study indicates CT angiography can readily identify cardiac thrombi, important prognostic information and comorbidities, and can be safely performed in cats with cardiac disease and congestive heart failure.

Use of manual alveolar recruitment maneuvers to eliminate atelectasis artifacts identified during thoracic computed tomography of healthy neonatal foals.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate use of single manual alveolar recruitment maneuvers (ARMs) to eliminate atelectasis during CT of anesthetized foals. ANIMALS 6 neonatal Standardbred foals. PROCEDURES Thoracic CT was performed on spontaneously breathing anesthetized foals positioned in sternal (n = 3) or dorsal (3) recumbency when foals were 24 to 36 hours old (time 1), 4 days old (time 2), 7 days old (time 3), and 10 days old (time 4). The CT images were collected without ARMs (all times) and during ARMs with an internal airway pressure of 10, 20, and 30 cm H2O (times 2 and 3). Quantitative analysis of CT images measured whole lung and regional changes in attenuation or volume with ARMs. RESULTS Increased attenuation and an alveolar pattern were most prominent in the dependent portion of the lungs. Subjectively, ARMs did not eliminate atelectasis; however, they did incrementally reduce attenuation, particularly in the nondependent portion of the lungs. Quantitative differences in lung attenuation attributable to position of foal were not identified. Lung attenuation decreased significantly (times 2 and 3) and lung volume increased significantly (times 2 and 3) after ARMs. Changes in attenuation and volume were most pronounced in the nondependent portion of the lungs and at ARMs of 20 and 30 cm H2O. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Manual ARMs did not eliminate atelectasis but reduced attenuation in nondependent portions of the lungs. Positioning of foals in dorsal recumbency for CT may be appropriate when pathological changes in the ventral portion of the lungs are suspected.

SALINE ARTHROGRAPHY OF THE DISTAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT FOR LOW-FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE EQUINE PODOTROCHLEAR BURSA: FEASIBILITY STUDY.

Abnormalities of the deep digital flexor tendon, navicular bone, and collateral sesamoidean ligament can be difficult to visualize using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if bursal fluid is absent. The use of saline podotrochlear bursography improves podotrochlear apparatus evaluation, however, the technique has disadvantages. The objective of this prospective feasibility study was to describe saline arthrography of the distal interphalangeal joint as an alternative technique for improving MRI visualization of the deep digital flexor tendon, navicular bone, collateral sesamoidean ligament, and podotrochlear bursa, and to compare this technique with saline podotrochlear bursography. Eight paired cadaver forelimbs were sampled. Saline podotrochlear bursography or saline arthrography techniques were randomly assigned to one limb, with the alternate technique performed on the contralateral limb. For precontrast and postcontrast studies using each technique, independent observers scored visualization of the dorsal aspect of the deep digital flexor tendon, palmar aspect of the navicular bone, collateral sesamoidean ligament, and podotrochlear bursa. Both contrast techniques improved visualization of structures over precontrast MR images and visualization scores for both techniques were similar. Findings from this study demonstrated that saline arthrography is feasible and comparable to saline podotrochlear bursography for producing podotrochlear bursa distension and separation of the structures of the podotrochlear apparatus on nonweight bearing limbs evaluated with low-field MRI. Clinical evaluation of saline arthrography on live animals is needed to determine if this technique is safe and effective as an alternative to saline podotrochlear bursography in horses with suspected pathology of the podotrochlear apparatus.

Comparison of radiographic and computed tomographic images of the lungs in healthy neonatal foals.

OBJECTIVE: To compare CT and radiographic images of the lungs in sedated healthy foals positioned in sternal recumbency and to investigate whether a relationship exists between CT-derived measurements of lung attenuation and Paco2 and Pao2. ANIMALS: 6 healthy Standardbred foals < 14 days of age. PROCEDURES: Thoracic CT images were acquired followed by radiographic views with each foal sedated and positioned in sternal recumbency. For each foal, both CT and radiographic images were evaluated for severity and extent of changes by lung regions on the basis of a subjective scoring system by 3 investigators. Quantitative analysis of CT images was also performed. Assessments of Pao2 and Paco2 were performed before sedation, following sedation prior to CT, and after CT prior to radiography. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement for CT and radiographic image scoring was strong (0.73) and fair (0.65), respectively; intraobserver agreement was near perfect for CT (0.97) and radiographic (0.94) image scoring. Increased CT attenuation and radiographic changes were identified for all foals and were preferentially distributed in the caudoventral portion of the lungs. Radiographic scores were significantly lower than CT image scores. A positive correlation (r = 0.872) between lung attenuation and CT image score was identified. A significant increase in Paco2 was not considered clinically relevant. Significant changes in Pao2 were not observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that interpretation of CT images may be less subjective, compared with interpretation of radiographic images. These findings may aid in the evaluation of CT and radiographic images of neonatal foals with respiratory tract disease.

Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography to diagnose pulmonary thromboembolism in an awake dog with pyothorax.

OBJECTIVES: To (1) describe the use of contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (CE-MDCT) for identifying pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in an awake dog with pyothorax, (2) report the first documented case of PTE associated with pyothorax in veterinary medicine, and (3) review diagnostic imaging modalities and therapeutic options for PTE. CASE SUMMARY: A 5-year, 4-month-old female neutered Labrador Retriever was presented for respiratory distress secondary to a pyothorax. The dog underwent thoracic exploratory surgery in which no underlying etiology was identified. Aerobic bacterial culture grew Streptococcus canis. The patient remained hypoxemic despite thoracocentesis and surgery. CE-MDCT was performed without general anesthesia and showed luminal-filling defects in the right cranial and right and left caudal lobar primary pulmonary arteries consistent with PTE. Anticoagulant therapy using unfractionated heparin was initiated. The dog responded well and was discharged 3 days postoperatively. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of PTE diagnosed in a dog with pyothorax using CE-MDCT.

A case of atypical diffuse feline fibrotic lung disease.

An 11-year-old cat presented for respiratory distress and weight loss. Thoracic radiographs were interpreted as a diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern with bronchiectasis and a mild ventral alveolar pattern on the lateral views. Computed tomography revealed a severe diffuse reticular pattern, relatively hyperattenuating in subpleural regions, with diffuse traction bronchiectasis and some degree of honeycombing. Despite the absence of basal predominance, this pattern was considered to be suggestive of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Other differentials (other types of interstitial lung disease, infectious pneumonitis, neoplasia, or early edema or hemorrhage) were considered less likely based on history and other test results. The cat was discharged without any treatment, and euthanased 5 months later. Post-mortem histological analysis of the lung revealed end-stage lung, with extensive fibrosis that was more severe in subpleural regions, fibroblastic foci and honeycombing, suggestive of UIP. A probable diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was made. The diffuse distribution of the lesions was atypical compared with previous tomographic and histologic descriptions of IPF in cats. This case report suggests a heterogeneity of the pulmonary fibrotic disorders in cats that warrants further investigation for better characterization and classification.

Microdose computed tomographic cardiac angiography in normal cats.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if microdose contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) allows characterization of cardiac chambers in lightly sedated normal cats. ANIMALS: Seven healthy domestic cats. METHODS: Lightly sedated normal cats were imaged pre-contrast and with microdose (0.22 ml/kg of non-ionic iodinated contrast medium, 300 mg I/ml) triple-phase MDCTA in a motion restriction device. RESULTS: On pre-contrast images, the aorta (median: 52.43 Hounsfield units [HU], range 27.35-76.74 HU) was outlined by significantly (p = 0.015) lower attenuating periaortic fat (-66.16 HU, -42.62 to -92.77 HU). On post-contrast images, median peak contrast enhancement in the right ventricle (111.77 HU, 36.09-141.60 HU) was achieved in 3.1 s (range 2.9-7.3 s), in the aorta (149.30 HU, 99.43-319.60 HU) and left atrium (180.83 HU, 88.53-266.84 HU) in 6.4 s (range 5.6-7.7 s) and in the left ventricle (147.89 HU, 57.23-245.77 HU) in 7.10 s (range 6.2-11.2 s). Significantly higher attenuation was measured between all chambers and walls, the right ventricular lumen and interventricular septum (median ratio 53.78 HU, range 0.21-83.20 HU), left ventricular lumen and left ventricular free wall (89.32 HU, 38.81-185.95 HU) and aorta and periaortic fat (190.43 HU, 143.22-425.44 HU) on post-contrast images. CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient biological contrast is available on survey CT to discriminate between the aorta and the left atrium, and microdose MDCTA provides sufficient contrast enhancement for adequate visualization of the heart chambers in normal cats.

Comparison of the diagnostic quality of computed tomography images of normal ocular and orbital structures acquired with and without the use of general anesthesia in the cat.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic quality of computed tomography (CT) images of normal ocular and orbital structures acquired with and without the use of general anesthesia in the cat. ANIMAL STUDIED: Eleven privately owned cats with nasal disease presenting to a single referral hospital. PROCEDURES: All cats received a complete ophthalmic examination. A 16 multislice helical CT system was utilized to acquire images of the skull and neck with and without the use of general anesthesia. Images were acquired before and after the administration of intravenous iodinated contrast. Images of normal ocular and orbital structures were evaluated via consensus by two board-certified radiologists. Visibility of ocular and orbital structures, degree of motion, and streak artifact were assessed and scored for each image set in the transverse, dorsal, and sagittal planes. RESULTS: The use of general anesthesia did not significantly affect the diagnostic quality of images. No motion artifact was observed in any CT image. Streak artifact was significantly increased in scans performed in the transverse orientation but not in the dorsal orientation or sagittal orientation and did not affect the diagnostic quality of the images. Contrast enhancement did not significantly enhance the visibility of any ocular or orbital structures. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic CT images of normal ocular and orbital structures can be acquired without the use of general anesthesia in the cat.

Carbon disulfide as a dopant in photon-induced chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: The addition of a dopant to an Atmospheric Pressure PhotoIonization (APPI) source of a mass spectrometer has been shown to enhance the degree of analyte ionization. A series of different dopants has been successfully utilized; however, there has been very little published on the characteristics of a good dopant. We have proposed carbon disulfide (CS2) as a novel new dopant based on its absorption cross-section for the VUV photon's energy used and its unique gas-phase ion chemistry, notably the fact that it does not contain a proton. METHODS: The ability of CS2 to enhance the ionization effectiveness of APPI was tested by using a group of compounds that have different proton affinities (PAs) and electron affinities (EAs). These results were compared to results obtained using the commonly used dopants, toluene and anisole. Particular attention was paid to the formation of [M](+) ions relative to [M+H](+) ions. Mass spectra were collected using a Waters Quattro Premier liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) system equipped with a commercial Photomate™ photoionization source. RESULTS: The results show that CS2 increases the ionization efficiency of most of the analytes studied in this work comparably to toluene and anisole. CS2 promotes both ionization routes of [M](+) and [M+H](+). In addition, due to the higher ionization energy (IE) of CS2 (10.01) compared to the IEs of toluene (8.83) and anisole (8.20), CS2 can enhance the ionization efficiency of analytes that cannot be enhanced with toluene and anisole. CONCLUSIONS: We have determined that CS2 is a viable dopant for use in APPI sources. For some analytes, significant [M+H](+) ion signals are observed; therefore, the donated proton must come from either water clusters or solvents. In addition, CS2 promotes the ionization of analytes with low PAs and higher IEs than that of toluene and anisole.

Comparison between survey radiography, B-mode ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography findings in dogs with acute abdominal signs.

Contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (CE-MDCT) is used routinely in evaluating human patients with acute abdominal symptoms. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) continues to be in its infancy as it relates to evaluation of the acute abdomen. The purpose of this study was to compare survey radiography, B-mode ultrasound, CEUS, and CE-MDCT findings in canine patients presenting with acute abdominal signs; with a focus on the ability to differentiate surgical from non-surgical conditions. Nineteen dogs were prospectively enrolled. Inclusion required a clinical diagnosis of acute abdominal signs and confirmed surgical or non-surgical causes for the clinical signs. Agreement for the majority of recorded imaging features was at least moderate. There was poor agreement in the identification of pneumoperitoneum and in the comparison of pancreatic lesion dimensions for B-mode vs. CEUS. The CT feature of fat stranding was detected in cases including, but not limited to, gastric neoplasia with perforation, pancreatitis, and small intestinal foreign body. Ultrasound underestimated the size and number of specific lesions when compared with CE-MDCT. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was successful in detecting bowel and pancreatic perfusion deficits that CE-MDCT failed to identify. Accuracy for differentiation of surgical vs. non-surgical conditions was high for all modalities; 100%, 94%, and 94% for CE-MDCT, ultrasonography and survey radiography respectively. Findings indicated that CE-MDCT is an accurate screening test for differentiating surgical from non-surgical acute abdominal conditions in dogs. Focused CEUS following CE-MDCT or B-mode ultrasonography may be beneficial for identifying potentially significant hypoperfused lesions.

Qualitative and quantitative interpretation of computed tomography of the lungs in healthy neonatal foals.

OBJECTIVE: To qualitatively describe lung CT images obtained from sedated healthy equine neonates (≤ 14 days of age), use quantitative analysis of CT images to characterize attenuation and distribution of gas and tissue volumes within the lungs, and identify differences between lung characteristics of foals ≤ 7 days of age and foals > 7 days of age. ANIMALS: 10 Standardbred foals between 2.5 and 13 days of age. PROCEDURES: Foals were sedated with butorphanol, midazolam, and propofol and positioned in sternal recumbency for thoracic CT. Image analysis software was used to exclude lung from nonlung structures. Lung attenuation was measured in Hounsfield units (HU) for analysis of whole lung and regional changes in attenuation and lung gas and tissue components. Degree of lung attenuation was classified as follows: hyperinflated or emphysema, -1,000 to -901 HU; well aerated, -900 to -501 HU; poorly aerated, -500 to -101 HU; and nonaerated, > -100 HU. RESULTS: Qualitative evidence of an increase in lung attenuation and patchy alveolar patterns in the ventral lung region were more pronounced in foals ≤ 7 days of age than in older foals. Quantitative analysis revealed that mean ± SD lung attenuation was greater in foals ≤ 7 days of age (-442 ± 28 HU) than in foals > 7 days of age (-521 ± 24 HU). Lung aeration and gas volumes were lower than in other regions ventrally and in the mid lung region caudal to the heart. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-Identified radiographic patterns and changes in attenuation were most consistent with atelectasis and appeared more severe in foals ≤ 7 days of age than in older neonatal foals. Recognition of these changes may have implications for accurate CT interpretation in sedated neonatal foals with pulmonary disease.

Effect of MK-467 on organ blood flow parameters detected by contrast-enhanced ultrasound in dogs treated with dexmedetomidine.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dexmedetomidine-induced reduction in organ blood flow with quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) method and to observe the influence of MK-467 on such reduction. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized cross-over study. ANIMALS: Six adult purpose-bred laboratory beagle dogs (mean body weight 15.3 ± 1.9 kg). METHODS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was performed on six conscious healthy laboratory beagles. The animals on separate occasions underwent three treatments: awake without any medication (CTRL), dexmedetomidine 10 µg kg(-1) (DEX) and DEX + MK-467 500 µg kg(-1) (DMK) intravenously (IV). The kidney (10-15 minutes post-treatment), spleen (25-30 minutes post-treatment), small intestine (40-45 minutes post-treatment) and liver (50-55 minutes post-treatment) were examined with CEUS. A time curve was generated and the following perfusion parameters were analysed: arrival time (AT), time to peak from injection (TTPinj), peak intensity (PI) and wash-in rate (Wi). In addition to CEUS, renal glomerular filtration rate was indirectly estimated by the rate of iohexol elimination. RESULTS: AT and TTPinj were significantly higher for DEX than for CTRL in all studied organs. The same parameters were significantly higher for DEX than for DMK in the kidney, spleen and small intestine. PI was significantly lower for DEX than for CTRL or DMK in the kidney. Wi was significantly lower for DEX than for CTRL or DMK in the kidney and significantly lower than for CTRL only in the small intestine. Plasma concentration of iohexol was significantly higher after DEX than CTRL administration. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was effective in detecting DEX-induced changes in blood flow. MK-467 attenuated these changes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians should consider the effects of the sedation protocol when performing CEUS. Addition of MK-467 might beneficially impact the haemodynamic function of sedation with alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists.

Safety of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in dogs and cats: 488 cases (2002-2011).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of adverse events within 24 hours after contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in dogs and cats and compare the risk of death within 24 hours after imaging for animals that underwent ultrasonography with and without injection of a contrast agent. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS: 750 animals (411 case dogs, 238 control dogs, 77 case cats, and 24 control cats). PROCEDURES: At 11 institutions, medical records were reviewed of dogs and cats that had CEUS performed (cases) as were medical records of dogs and cats with clinical signs similar to those of case animals that had ultrasonography performed without injection of a contrast agent (controls). Information regarding signalment; preexisting disease; type, dose, and administration route of contrast agent used; immediate (within 1 hour after CEUS) and delayed (> 1 and ≤ 24 hours after CEUS) adverse events; and occurrence and cause of death (when available) was extracted from each medical record. Risk of death within 24 hours after ultrasonography was compared between case and control animals. RESULTS: Of the 411 case dogs, 3 had immediate adverse events (vomiting or syncope) and 1 had a delayed adverse event (vomiting). No adverse events were recorded for case cats. Twenty-three of 357 (6.4%) clinically ill case animals and 14 of 262 (5.3%) clinically ill control animals died within 24 hours after ultrasonography; risk of death did not differ between cases and controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that CEUS was safe in dogs and cats.