Radiographic evidence of metaphyseal sclerosis secondary to canine distemper virus: 4 cases in juvenile dogs.

BACKGROUND: Metaphyseal sclerosis secondary to canine distemper virus has been described histopathologically, but its radiographic appearance has not been described. OBJECTIVES: Describe the radiographic appearance of metaphyseal sclerosis secondary to canine distemper virus in juvenile dogs as distinct from metaphyseal osteopathy (formerly called hypertrophic osteodystrophy). ANIMALS: Four dogs (2 intact females and 2 intact males) between 2.5 and 4 months of age presented to 2 different veterinary teaching hospitals. METHODS: Retrospective case series in which definitive diagnosis of canine distemper virus based on antemortem positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result or necropsy was required. RESULTS: All 4 dogs were presented for evaluation of neurologic abnormalities, respiratory signs, and lethargy; 2 dogs had gastrointestinal signs and ocular abnormalities. Radiographs on all patients featured multifocal, symmetric, metaphyseal sclerosis, with no evidence of lysis or changes to the adjacent growth plate. The metaphyseal sclerosis was most apparent at the proximal humeral diaphyses and other included long bones. Diagnosis of distemper was confirmed by necropsy (2 of 4 dogs) or positive RT-PCR results (2 of 4 dogs). Three dogs were euthanized because of progressive illness, and 1 dog was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Identification of metaphyseal sclerosis on radiographs during diagnostic evaluation of young dogs should lead to a clinical suspicion of canine distemper virus infection. Sclerosis identified secondary to canine distemper virus is distinct from the necrosis and inflammation of metaphyseal osteopathy.

Use of color-coded, three-dimensional-printed equine carpus models is preferred by students but does not result in statistically different academic performance.

Radiology can be a challenging subject for students and finding new techniques that help improve their understanding could have positive effects in their clinical practice. The purpose of this prospective experimental study was to implement the use of color-coded, three-dimensional-printed, handheld equine carpus models into a radiographic anatomy course and evaluate the impact objectively and subjectively using quizzes and student response surveys. A first-year veterinary class was randomly divided into two similarly sized groups (groups A and B) for an equine normal radiographic anatomy laboratory. Both groups experienced the same laboratory structure; however, each student in group B received a handheld three-dimensional-printed equine carpus. Both groups received a quiz at the end of their laboratory consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions related to the equine carpus. An anonymous survey regarding the laboratory was emailed to students after the laboratory. One week later, the same 10 questions in randomized order were administered via a pop-quiz. Students believed both quizzes would count toward their final course grade. There was no statistically significant difference in grades between groups on either quiz (P > .05). However, based on survey responses, group B students felt the carpus made the laboratory more enjoyable and improved their comprehension of the material, whereas group A students felt the carpus would have increased their enjoyment and improved their comprehension. The implementation of three-dimensional-printed anatomic models may be useful to enhance enjoyment and perceived comprehension of veterinary students; however, there is currently insufficient evidence to suggest these models improve academic performance.

Migration of retrobulbar wooden foreign body between diagnostic imaging and surgical extraction in a German shepherd dog.

A 2-year-old, male castrated German shepherd dog was presented to the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center (UTVMC) with periorbital swelling and conjunctival mucopurulent discharge 2 days following removal of a twig from the medial canthus by the owner. Diagnostic imaging was pursued due to the suspicion of a retrobulbar foreign body (FB). A cylindrical FB approximately 3.0 cm in length and 1.0 cm in diameter with concentric rings, suspected to be wooden material, was identified on computed tomography (CT) imaging. An attempt to remove the FB via a stab incision using ultrasound guidance was unsuccessful, and postmanipulation ultrasound confirmed the FB position was unchanged. An exploratory orbitotomy was performed, using the acquired CT images for guidance in locating the FB; however, the FB was not present at the predicted site. The CT imaging was repeated and showed that the FB had migrated rostrally approximately 3.0 cm, compared to the originally acquired study and its same location during attempted ultrasound-guided removal. A combination of CT-guided needle placement and contrast injection was then used with repeat imaging in an attempt to better localize the FB and its soft tissue tract. The dog was taken back into the operating room, and the wooden FB was successfully removed.

Analysis of feline splenic radiographic measurements and their correlation to ultrasonographic measurements.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to establish a method for feline splenic measurement on abdominal radiographs and evaluate for correlation between the radiographic measurements and ultrasonographic measurements. Methods One hundred cats with normal abdominal radiographs and ultrasound (US) studies of the spleen were evaluated. The hypothesis was that the measurement of the spleen on the radiographs would correlate with the measurement of the spleen on US. The radiographic and ultrasonographic measurements were tabulated and compared using linear regression and t-tests using unequal variances. Results The measurement of the spleen on the ventrodorsal projection was characterized as one of three shapes (A, B or C), and thereby based on the thickest part of the spleen (when corrected for radiographic magnification: A = 9.9 ± 2.2 mm; B = 8.1 ± 1.8 mm; C = 8.0 ± 2.3 mm). There were 48 cats where the head of the spleenwas seen on the right lateral (n = 10), the left lateral (n = 24) or both (n = 14) projections. On one left lateral, both the head and tail of the spleen were seen. There was weak correlation between the radiographic and US measurements(R ⩼0.6). Splenic thickness of shape A on the ventrodorsal projection was significantly greater than categories B and C. Conclusions and relevance Radiographic measurement of the spleen is not a reliable indicator of its ultrasonographic measurement. The ultrasonographic measurements seen in this study (mean of 8.0 ± 1.6 mm) were similar to measurements of the spleen reported in previous studies. It is rare to see the tail of the spleen on lateral feline abdominal radiographs.