Radiographic and computed tomographic assessment of the development of the antebrachia and elbow joints in Labrador Retrievers with and without medial coronoid disease.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the development, monitored by radiography and computed tomography, of the antebrachia and elbow joints in seven Labrador Retrievers with healthy elbow joints and in seven Labrador Retrievers that developed medial coronoid disease (MCD), in order to determine whether disturbances in the development of the antebrachia and elbow joints, between the age of six and 17 weeks may lead to medial coronoid disease. METHODS: A prospective study of 14 Labrador Retrievers in their active growth stage was performed. The development of the antebrachia and elbow joints was assessed between six and 17 weeks of age using radiography and computed tomography determining the development of secondary ossification centres, radioulnar length ratio, radial angulation, and inter-relationship between the humerus, ulna and radius. RESULTS: For the parameters of ossification of secondary ossification centres, radioulnar length ratio, radial angulation, and joint congruence evaluation, there was no significant difference in the development of the antebrachia and elbow joints of seven Labrador Retrievers positive and seven Labrador Retrievers negative for MCD at the age of six to 17 weeks. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that the development of MCD in the Labrador Retrievers in our study was not related to any disturbance in the development of the antebrachia and elbow joints during the rapid growth phase.

Assessment of articular cartilage and subchondral bone using EPIC-microCT in Labrador retrievers with incipient medial coronoid disease.

The aetiopathogenesis of medial coronoid disease (MCD) remains obscure, despite its high prevalence. The role of changes to subchondral bone or articular cartilage is much debated. Although there is evidence of micro-damage to subchondral bone, it is not known whether this is a cause or a consequence of MCD, nor is it known whether articular cartilage is modified in the early stages of the disease. The aim of the present study was to use equilibrium partitioning of an ionic contrast agent with micro-computed tomography (microCT) to investigate changes to both the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone of the medial coronoid processes (MCP) of growing Labrador retrievers at an early stage of the disease and at different bodyweights. Of 14 purpose-bred Labrador retrievers (15-27 weeks), six were diagnosed with bilateral MCD and one was diagnosed with unilateral MCD on the basis of microCT studies. The mean X-ray attenuation of articular cartilage was significantly higher in dogs with MCD than in dogs without MCD (P<0.01). In all dogs, the mean X-ray attenuation of articular cartilage was significantly higher at the lateral (P<0.001) than at the proximal aspect of the MCP, indicating decreased glycosaminoglycan content. Changes in parameters of subchondral bone micro-architecture, namely the ratio of bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV), bone surface density (BS/TV), bone surface to volume ratio (BS/BV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th; mm), size of marrow cavities described by trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp; mm), and structural model index (SMI), differed significantly by litter (P<0.05) due to the difference in age and weight, but not by the presence/absence of MCD (P>0.05), indicating that subchondral bone density is not affected in early MCD. This study demonstrated that cartilage matrix and not subchondral bone density is affected in the early stages of MCD.

The information needs of breast cancer patients in Hong Kong and their levels of satisfaction with the provision of information.

BACKGROUND: Information is vital for patients in overcoming cancer and making decisions about their treatment plans, but little is known about the information needs of Chinese breast cancer patients and their satisfaction with the information provided. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to examine the priority of information needs perceived by participants and the demographic and clinical factors that affect the priority of information needs such as prioritization, the utilization of and satisfaction with different sources of information, and satisfaction with the information provided by health care professionals. METHODS: A self-administered survey was used, including sources of information, an Information Needs Questionnaire-Chinese version, and patients' satisfaction with the information provided by health care professionals. RESULTS: Participants (n = 374) ranked the likelihood of cure, spread of the disease, and treatment options as the 3 most important information needs. They had mostly been using the information sources available in the hospital. Despite health care professionals being ranked as a highly satisfying source of information, participants perceived different levels of satisfaction with the various types of information provided. CONCLUSION: Participants perceived information about the illness itself and about treatment as most important. They preferred to use sources available in the hospital, but the satisfaction rates associated with information provided by health care professionals were relatively low. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study provides useful information about what patients really want to know and a potential basis for developing more effective models to deliver information and support to breast cancer patients. Identification of the actual needs of these patients can produce better resource allocation and provide health services more efficiently to meet those needs.