Proximal and distal alignment of normal canine femurs: A morphometric analysis.

Many researchers are interested in femoral conformation because most orthopaedic problems of the long bones occur in the femur and its joints. The neck-shaft (NSA) and the anteversion (AVA) angles are good predictors for understanding the orientation of the proximal end of the femur. The varus (aLDFA) and procurvatum (CDFA) angles have also been used to understand the orientation of the distal end of the femur. The purposes of this study were to investigate the relationship between the proximal and distal angles of the femur and to compare the distal femoral angles in male and female dogs in order to investigate the sexual dimorphism. The measurements of normal CDFAs, which have not been previously reported, may also provide a database of canine distal femoral morphology. A total of 75 cleaned healthy femora from different breeds or mixed breed of dogs were used. The three-dimensional images were reconstructed from computed tomographic images. The AVA, NSA, aLDFA and CDFA were measured on the 3D images. The correlation coefficients were calculated among the measured angles. The distal femoral angles were also compared between male and female femora. The 95% confidence intervals of the AVA and the NSA were calculated to be 24.22°-29.50° and 144.97°-147.50°, respectively. The 95% confidence intervals of the aLDFA and the CDFA for all studied dogs were 92.62°-94.08° and 89.09°-91.94°, respectively. The NSA showed no correlation with either the aLDFA or CDFA. There was a weak inverse correlation between the AVA and CDFA and a weak positive correlation between the AVA and aLDFA. The differences in the aLDFA and CDFA measurements between male and female dog were not significant. In conclusion, femoral version, regardless of the plane, might have little influence on distal femoral morphology in normal dogs. Besides this, there is no evidence of a sexual dimorphism in the varus and procurvatum angles of the dog distal femur. The data from this study may be used in both orthopaedic studies and for clinical applications related to the distal femur of dogs.

The mixture of liquid foam soap, ethanol and citric acid as a new fixative-preservative solution in veterinary anatomy.

The present study investigates the efficiency of liquid foam soap, ethanol, citric acid and benzalkonium chloride as a fixative-preservative solution (a soap-and ethanol-based fixing solution, or SEFS). In this study, ethanol serves as the fixative and preservative, liquid foam soap as the modifying agent, citric acid as the antioxidant and benzalkonium chloride as the disinfectant. The goat cadavers perfused with SEFS (n=8) were evaluated over a period of one year with respect to hardness, colour and odour using objective methods. Colour and hardness were compared between one fresh cadaver and the SEFS-embalmed cadavers. Histological and microbiological examinations were also performed in tissue samples. Additionally, the cadavers were subjectively evaluated after dissection and palpation. The SEFS provided the effectiveness expected over a 1-year embalming period for the animal cadavers. No bacteria or fungi were isolated except for some non-pathogenic Bacillus species. Visible mould was not present on either cadavers or in the surrounding environment. The cadavers maintained an appearance close to their original anatomical appearance, with muscles having good hardness and elasticity for dissection.

The anatomical study on the rat pancreas and its ducts with emphasis on the surgical approach.

It was intended to present information about the anatomy of the pancreas and especially to emphasize the variation of pancreatic ducts in the rat, which may guide researchers in experimental studies. In 27 adult rats, latex dye was introduced into the biliopancreatic duct, portal vein and arteries. The pancreas with the neighboring structures was studied with the aid of the dissection microscope and measurements were by means of micrometric ocular. The pancreas was divided into three parts i.e. the biliary, duodenal and gastrosplenic portions. The biliopancreatic and pancreatic ducts as well as biliary and duodenal portions of the pancreas could be seen ventrally with a minor procedure such as pulling the duodenum caudally, and additionally the entire pancreas and its ducts could also be reached dorsally since the stomach was turned cranially with the duodenum. The biliopancreatic duct diameter and length of the ducts were 1.01+/-0.03 and 28.86+/-0.59 mm, respectively. The anterior pancreatic duct originated from the biliopancreatic duct on different sides, 17.96+/-0.75mm away from the duodenal papilla. The anterior pancreatic duct drained the gastrosplenic portion of the rat pancreas and this duct, via the duodenal duct, partially collected secretion of the duodenal portion at a ratio of 74.07%. The posterior pancreatic duct opened to the biliopancreatic duct and its distance from papilla duodeni was changed from 0 to 8 mm. When the biliopancreatic duct is ligated at the level of the duodenal opening, the posterior pancreatic duct or a small duct from duodenal portion should be taken into consideration because these ducts opened to biliopancreatic duct at the level of papilla duodeni at a ratio of 37.04%. In conclusion, the duct system of pancreas had a great variation and therefore the success rate of the surgery could be increased when surgeons have more knowledge on variations of the duct system in this region.

Computed tomographic assessment of the trachea in the German shepherd dog.

Computed tomographic (CT) examination of the trachea was performed in 10 German shepherd dogs to determine the normal value of some tracheal measurements under general anesthesia and in sternal recumbence position. Measurements obtained from nine segments were evaluated in four groups as the cranial cervical, caudal cervical, thoracic inlet and the thoracal tracheas. The inner transverse (T) and vertical (V) diameters were measured with the aid of electronic calipers from the software of the CT scanner. The cross-sectional lumen area (CSA) was calculated by using vertical and transverse diameters. The ratio of the transverse and vertical diameters (T/V) was also calculated. There was not any significant difference between thoracic inlet and thoracic tracheas, however, the mentioned regions were found to be significantly different from both cranial and caudal cervical regions in all measurements except the ratio of T/V. The ratio of T/V between 0.92 and 1.06 gradually changed and there was not any statistical difference between subsequent regions while differences were found among further regions. The largest CSA, seen in cranial cervical trachea was as 364.62 mm2 and decreased gradually to 309.29, 245.69 and 226.50 mm2 in caudal cervical, thoracic inlet and thoracic tracheas, respectively. From the point of view of technique, CT examination of the dog trachea was very easy and it was possible to take sensitive and repeated measurements. It, however, may be accepted as expensive and that it is disadvantageous to require general anesthesia. The data presented in this study represent tracheal values in the healthy German shepherd dog under the conditions of the study.