Quantitative brain histogram of canine epilepsy using magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to study the anatomy of the brain in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. PURPOSE: To quantitate MRI images in terms of volumetric ratios and histogram analyses of the following regions of interest (ROI) in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy: frontal; parietal; temporal; piriform; thalamic; and hippocampal regions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine dogs with epilepsy and four healthy controls were evaluated. We examined the volumetric ratios and histogram analyses of six ROIs in all dogs. RESULTS: MR images, in T1-weighted, T2-weighted, FLAIR, diffusion-weighted imaging, and apparent diffusion coefficient sequences detected changes in 4/9 (44%) epileptic dogs found in 5/6 regions: frontal; parietal; temporal; piriform; and hippocampal regions. However, no such changes were observed in the thalamic region. Interestingly, the frontal and piriform volumetric ratios of epileptic dogs were significantly lower than those of control dogs. The histogram analyses in 4/6 regions were significantly increased in epileptic dogs. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated MRI finding abnormalities in several regions of the brain in several sequences including T1-weighted, T2-weighted, FLAIR, diffusion-weighted imaging, and apparent diffusion coefficient in epileptic dogs. In several regions of the brain, atrophy may exist, and hyperintensity may be present on MR images in epileptic dogs. These findings suggest that the diagnostic yield of MRI, which is an advanced neuroimaging technique, is high in epileptic dogs and has good reliability and sensitivity in detecting abnormal areas in patients.

The Agreement between Radiography and Fluoroscopy as Diagnostic Tools for Tracheal Collapse in Dogs.

Tracheal collapse is a common disease in small, middle-aged dogs, and imaging tools are essential for its diagnosis. Radiography and fluoroscopy are the main diagnostic modalities used, but their agreement in different regions is not well documented. In this study, the agreement between thoracic radiography and fluoroscopy in tracheal collapse was investigated in 29 dogs. The results showed that radiography detected a lower degree of collapsing trachea compared to fluoroscopy at the carina region (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference observed between the degree of collapsing trachea detected by radiography and fluoroscopy at the cervical, thoracic inlet, and intra-thoracic regions (p = 0.780, 0.537, and 0.213, respectively). The kappa statistic indicated a slight agreement at the cervical region at a 16.4% cut-off (κ = 0.20), while the other regions showed a non-agreement. In conclusion, although radiography is useful for screening, fluoroscopy was able to detect the degree of the collapsing trachea greater than radiography in the carina region. Additionally, if a collapse in the cervical region is detected by radiography, it is prone to have a positive relationship with fluoroscopy as well.

Quantitative ultrasound elastography and serum ferritin level in dogs with liver tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the serum ferritin level and quantitate ultrasound elastography as a marker to distinguish dogs with benign and malignant liver tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight dogs were determined the serum ferritin and ultrasound elastography by using fine-needle aspiration biopsy. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that dogs with malignant liver tumors had significantly higher mean serum ferritin concentrations than those with benign liver tumors (p = 0.004). The mean intensity of blue and red colors from elastography was greater in the malignant than those in the benign group, especially for the blue color, meaning that lesions showed more hard tissue. Additionally, histograms of blue color in the malignant tended to be higher than the benign group. CONCLUSION: We suggested that quantitative ultrasound elastography and serum ferritin concentration comprise an alternative and non-invasive diagnostic method that could be used to predict the type of liver tumors in dogs.

Localization of cerebral hypoperfusion in dogs with refractory and non-refractory epilepsy using [99mTc] ethyl cysteinate dimer and single photon emission computed tomography.

To evaluate the localization of functional deficit area in epileptogenic zones of the brain in seven refractory and seven non-refractory epilepsy dogs using technetium 99m labeled with ethyl cysteinate dimer and interictal single photon emission computed tomography [99mTc-ECD SPECT] co-registration with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Regions showing perfusion deficits in the SPECT images were analyzed by using the standard semiquantitative evaluation method to compare the level of cortical perfusion to the maximum number of counts within the cerebellum (max C), considered the area of reference. This study showed that SPECT imaging revealed abnormalities in several regions of the brain in both epilepsy groups. The refractory epilepsy dogs showed more frequency area of hypoperfusion in temporal lobe than non-refractory group with not statistically significance (P=0.28). The result suggests the lesion in temporal might be relevance with refractory epilepsy in canine patients.

In vivo evaluation of bilayer ORC/PCL composites in a rabbit model for using as a dural substitute.

OBJECTIVE: After a neurosurgical procedure, dural closure is commonly needed to prevent cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) leakage and to reduce the risk of complications, including infections and chronic inflammatory reactions. Although several dural substitutes have been developed, their manufacturing processes are complicated and costly and that many of them have been implicated in causing postoperative complications. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of new bilayer ORC/PCL composites in a rabbit model. METHODS: Two formulations of bilayer oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC)/poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) knitted fabric-reinforced composites and an autologous graft (pericranium) were employed for dural closure in forty-five male rabbits. Systemic reaction and the local reaction of the samples were assessed and compared at one-, three- and six-months post-implantation by blood chemistry and gross, and microscopic assessment using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome stains. RESULTS: No signs of CSF leakage or systemic infection were seen for all samples. All samples demonstrated minimal adhesion to adjacent tissues. The degree of host fibrous connective tissue ingrowth into both composites was comparable to that of the autologous group, but bone formation and osteoclast activities were significantly greater. Both composites progressively degraded over times and the residual thickness of the nonporous layer was 50% of the initial thickness at six months post-implantation. DISCUSSION: Bilayer ORC/PCL composites were successfully employed for dural closure in the rabbit model. They were biocompatible and could support dural regeneration comparable to that of the autologous group, but induced greater osteogenesis.

MRI imaging and histopathological study of brain iron overload of ß-thalassemic mice.

Brain iron overload is chronic and slow progressing and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful noninvasive tool for determining liver iron content, but it has not been proven to be adequate for evaluating brain iron overload. We evaluated the usefulness of MRI-derived parameters to determine brain iron concentration in ß-thalassemic mice and the effects of the membrane permeable iron chelator, deferiprone. Sixteen ß-thalassemic mice underwent 1.5T MRI of the brain that included a multiecho T2*-weighted sequence. Brain T2* values ranged from 28 to 31ms for thalassemic mice. For the iron overloaded thalassemic mice, brain T2* values decreased, ranging from 8 to 12ms, which correlated with the iron overload status of the animals. In addition, brain T2* values increased in the group with the treatment of deferiprone, ranging from 18 to 24ms. Our results may be useful to understand brain pathology in iron overload. Moreover, data could lead to an earlier diagnosis, assist in following disease progression, and demonstrate the benefits of iron chelation therapy.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the renal dimensions in captive tigers.

Ultrasonographic measurements of kidney size are useful in the practical diagnosis of kidney diseases in animals. In tigers, there is a lack of information regarding the ultrasonography methods used to measure the kidney size of the tiger. Thirty-three healthy captive tigers (Panthera tigris) were placed in lateral recumbency for ultrasonography. The measurements obtained from the ultrasonography were computed, and the results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between genders in terms of body weight and renal length. The length of the right kidney was significantly different from that of the left kidney (10.23 ± 0.76 cm in males versus 9.94 ± 0.80 cm in females; P<0.05). Interestingly, this study demonstrated that kidney length was statistically significantly associated with the body weight, and it also had a positive linear relationship with the body weight. Therefore, ultrasonographic renal dimensions could prove to be beneficial and modality for use in the evaluation of kidneys in unconscious tigers. However, kidney size evaluation must be performed using not only ultrasound but other clinical forms of technology and parameters.