Fluoroscopically measured bronchial collapse in healthy dogs during cough exceeds 25%, and a cutoff of 60% bronchial collapse can be used to distinguish healthy from chronically coughing dogs.

Bronchomalacia, the weakening of bronchial cartilage, is a common cause of cough in dogs. The gold standard for diagnosis of bronchomalacia is bronchoscopy; however, fluoroscopy is often used as a preliminary diagnostic test due to its noninvasiveness. The normal amount of bronchial collapse in healthy dogs using fluoroscopy has not been previously established, with some authors citing <25%. The aims of this prospective and retrospective analytical observational study were to determine the normal amount of airway collapse in healthy animals, the amount of airway collapse in dogs with chronic cough and presumed bronchomalacia, and cut-off values of airway collapse during expiration and cough to distinguish between the two groups. Thoracic fluoroscopy was performed in right and left lateral recumbency during inspiration, expiration, and cough to evaluate the percentage collapse of the trachea and lobar bronchi in 45 healthy and 76 chronically coughing dogs. The bronchi of chronically coughing dogs exhibited a significantly greater amount of collapse during both expiration and cough compared with healthy dogs. Chronically coughing dogs exhibited up to 31.7 ± 26.6% collapse in expiration and 87.5 ± 23.7% collapse during cough, whereas healthy dogs exhibited 14.9 ± 6.1% collapse in expiration and 35.0 ± 13.7% collapse during cough. Based on ROC curves, the authors suggest using cut-off values of 30% during expiration and 60% during cough to distinguish between healthy dogs and those with presumed bronchomalacia. Findings suggest that though healthy dogs can exhibit a greater degree of airway collapse than previously thought, fluoroscopy can be used to distinguish between healthy and presumed bronchomalacic dogs.

Decompressive craniectomy surgery in a dog with intracranial extradural hematoma following blunt force trauma.

A young miniature poodle was presented following blunt force trauma to the head. The dog initially responded well to medical management before developing clinical signs associated with increased intracranial pressure 48 h post-injury that became refractory to hyperosmolar therapy. A computed tomography scan obtained 76 h post-injury showed a short, oblique, non-displaced, complete fissure in the right temporal bone and a second short, oblique, non-displaced, complete fissure in the ventral aspect of the temporal bone. A biconvex, moderately hyperattenuating, space-occupying temporoparietal lesion was visualized immediately adjacent to the area of the temporal fractures. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of intracranial extradural hematoma. Decompressive craniectomy successfully evacuated the extradural hematoma to alleviate increased intracranial pressure. The dog's neurologic function recovered quickly postoperatively. At follow-up physical examinations at 14 and 437 d, excellent return to function was noted. Key clinical message: This report describes the diagnosis and surgical management of an intracranial extradural hematoma in a dog with increased intracranial pressure refractory to medical management. Furthermore, this report describes the diagnostic imaging findings used to diagnose this particular form of primary brain injury.

Chirurgie de craniectomie décompressive chez un chien présentant un hématome extradural intracrânien à la suite d'un traumatisme contondant. Un jeune caniche miniature a été présenté à la suite d'un traumatisme contondant à la tête. Le chien a initialement bien répondu à la prise en charge médicale avant de développer des signes cliniques associés à une augmentation de la pression intracrânienne 48 heures après la blessure, qui sont devenus réfractaires au traitement hyperosmolaire. Une tomodensitométrie obtenue 76 heures après la blessure a montré une fissure complète courte, oblique, non déplacée dans l'os temporal droit et une deuxième fissure complète courte, oblique, non déplacée dans la face ventrale de l'os temporal. Une lésion temporo-pariétale biconvexe, modérément hyperatténuée et occupant de l'espace a été visualisée immédiatement à côté de la zone des fractures temporales. Ces résultats concordaient avec un diagnostic d'hématome extradural intracrânien. La craniectomie décompressive a réussi à évacuer l'hématome extradural pour atténuer l'augmentation de la pression intracrânienne. La fonction neurologique du chien s'est rétablie rapidement après l'opération. Lors des examens physiques de suivi à 14 et 437 jours, un excellent retour au fonctionnement a été noté.Message clinique clé:Ce rapport décrit le diagnostic et la prise en charge chirurgicale d'un hématome extradural intracrânien chez un chien présentant une augmentation de la pression intracrânienne réfractaire à la prise en charge médicale. En outre, ce rapport décrit les résultats de l'imagerie diagnostique utilisée pour diagnostiquer cette forme particulière de lésion cérébrale primaire.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

ACVR and ECVDI consensus statement for the standardization of the abdominal ultrasound examination.

This consensus statement is designed to provide a standard of care document and describes the ACVR and ECVDI definition for performing a standard abdominal ultrasound examination in dogs and cats. The ACVR and ECVDI define a standard abdominal ultrasonographic examination as a complete exam of the abdominal organs which is appropriately documented. The consensus statement intends to provide guidance to veterinary sonographers and veterinarians for the performance and documentation of high-quality diagnostic ultrasound examination. The document may also serve as a teaching aid for veterinary students, veterinarians, and residents in diagnostic imaging who seek proficiency in diagnostic ultrasound. Finally, it may serve an additional role in educating the public as to what a high-quality abdominal ultrasound examination should entail.

A study of ultrasound-guided perineural injection of the caudal cervical spinal nerve roots in equine cadavers.

OBJECTIVES: To develop an ultrasound-guided cervical perineural injection technique for horses and to evaluate and compare the distribution of contrast agent among perineural, intra-articular and periarticular injections. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, experimental cadaveric study. ANIMALS: A total of 14 equine cadaveric necks. METHODS: Bilateral ultrasound-guided perineural injection technique for the caudal cervical spinal nerve roots (CSNRs 5-7) was developed. Paramagnetic or iodinated contrast was injected and the distribution of contrast was evaluated using magnetic resonance (MR) or computed tomography (CT) imaging, respectively. The presence of contrast in the CSNR region was determined by an observer unaware of the technique used for each injection performed. The ability of the perineural injection technique to distribute contrast agent to the CSNR region was compared with intra-articular and periarticular injection techniques. RESULTS: Perineural injection delivered contrast agent to the CSNR region 100% of the time and was significantly different when compared with intra-articular injection (p = 0.008). There was no difference in ability to deliver contrast agent to the CSNR region between the perineural and periarticular injection techniques or between the intra-articular and periarticular injection techniques. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ultrasound-guided perineural injection technique developed in this study accurately delivered contrast agent to the CSNR region in equine cadavers. This technique could potentially be used for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical pain in horses, particularly in cases where intra-articular cervical articular process joint injections have not been beneficial. Further studies are necessary to assess the effectiveness of the ultrasound-guided perineural injection technique in live horses.

Influence of repeat abdominal radiographs on the resolution of mechanical obstruction and gastrointestinal foreign material in dogs and cats.

Mechanical obstruction is a common cause of acute vomiting among small animals and radiography is the first line diagnostic tool. Due to many circumstances, surgery may not be an immediate treatment option. The purpose of this retrospective, cross-sectional design study is to determine the incidence of radiographic resolution of mechanical obstruction or gastrointestinal foreign material with medical management. Inclusion criteria included: clinical signs of vomiting, radiographic diagnosis of mechanical obstruction, suspect mechanical obstruction, foreign material suspected or definitively identified on the first set of radiographs and a second set of repeat radiographs within 36 h. Radiographic resolution was dependent on the location of dilation; 18/48 (37.5%) resolved were gastric, 6/35 (17.1%) were small intestinal, and 4/35 (11.4%) had concurrent gastric and small intestinal obstruction. Gastric dilation was more likely to resolve than SI dilation or both gastric and small intestinal dilation (P = .0119). Forty-nine animals without resolution went to surgery, with two developing pneumoperitoneum, and seven requiring intestinal resection, three of which had linear foreign bodies and three had intestinal masses/strictures. In conclusion, only 17.1% of animals with small intestinal dilation and a radiographic diagnosis of mechanical ileus resolved on repeat radiographs, and only 11.4% of animals with both small intestinal and gastric dilation resolved. Gastric dilation alone was more likely to resolve than small intestinal dilation or a combination of both. This may help to guide practitioners in recommendations for medical management of mechanical ileus in the future.

Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome in a Border Collie.

A 10 wk old female border collie was presented for hemorrhagic diarrhea and pelvic limb lameness. Examination revealed pain and effusion in multiple appendicular joints and pyrexia. Clinicopathologic testing revealed moderate neutropenia as well as nondegenerate neutrophilic inflammation in multiple joints. Radiographs showed capsular joint swelling and heterogeneous metaphyseal lucencies in the distal radius, ulna, femur, and tibia. Genetic testing confirmed a mutation in the vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 13B gene and a diagnosis of trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS). Within 24 hr of initiating prednisone therapy (1 mg/kg, per os, q 12 hr), the dog was afebrile and nonpainful with normal ambulation. Lameness recurred twice over the next 5 mo. At 9 mo of age, diagnostics showed severe erosive polyarthritis of both stifles with an inflammatory leukogram and arthrocentesis findings consistent with septic arthritis, and the dog died despite antibiotic therapy. This is the first case of TNS described in the North American literature, and it is unique in that we had the opportunity to document progression of radiographic abnormalities over more than 6 mo. TNS should be considered in young border collies with signs suggestive of immune-mediated polyarthritis, septic arthritis, or hypertrophic osteodystrophy, combined with neutropenia or gastrointestinal signs.

Myxosarcoma Associated with the Kidney in a Cat: Case Report.

A 12 yr old spayed female domestic shorthair with a history of lethargy, anorexia, and a pendulous abdomen was referred after a cranial abdominal mass was palpated on physical examination. Thoracic radiographs and an abdominal ultrasound revealed a mass associated with the kidney and moderate hemoperitoneum. Exploratory laparotomy revealed abdominal hemorrhage originating from a right renal mass that was adhered to the caudal vena cava. Following a right nephrectomy, histopathology diagnosed the mass as a perirenal/renal myxosarcoma. Based upon thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound, the patient remains disease free at 14 mo postoperatively.

Performing both lateral abdominal radiographs may not improve the visualization of gas in the gastric outflow tract of cats.

Reports in the veterinary literature support three-view abdominal radiographs as a standard of practice for evaluating dogs with suspected gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The usefulness of three-view abdominal studies has not been evaluated in cats. Images from a prospective crossover group study with 20 healthy cats, and those from a retrospective cohort study of 110 cats, were reviewed and the location and degree of gas was assessed in the gastric outflow tract. Comparisons of the frequency of luminal gas were made between the views and between cats with GI disease versus cats without and between cats having sedation versus those without. Chi-Square analysis was performed with P < .05 being considered significant. No significant difference was found in the location and degree of luminal gas in left versus right lateral views in all cats regardless of the order in which the views were obtained or in cats with GI disease versus cats without. Cats with gastric dilation had a higher overall frequency of gas; those with dilation with homogeneous material were higher than those with dilation with heterogeneous material. A higher frequency of gas was found in sedated cats than nonsedated, but further study is needed to determine the underlying cause. Based on these findings, a three-view abdominal study for cats as a standard of practice may not be necessary, but obtaining the additional lateral view when gastric dilation is present might allow better visualization of the pyloric antrum and duodenum.

CONTRAST-ENHANCED ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE PANCREAS IN HEALTHY DOGS AND IN DOGS WITH ACUTE PANCREATITIS.

Pancreatitis is the most frequent disease affecting the exocrine pancreas in dogs and reliable diagnostic techniques for predicting fatal complications are lacking. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) improves detection of tissue perfusion as well as organ lesion vascular pattern. Objectives of this prospective case control study were to compare perfusion characteristics and enhancement patterns of the pancreas in healthy dogs and dogs with pancreatitis using CEUS. Ten healthy dogs and eight dogs with pancreatitis were selected based on physical examination, abdominal ultrasound, and blood analysis findings. A CEUS study of the pancreas was performed for each dog and two observers who were aware of clinical status used advanced ultrasound quantification software to analyze time-intensity curves. Perfusion patterns were compared between healthy and affected dogs. In dogs with acute pancreatitis, mean pixel and peak intensity of the pancreatic parenchyma was significantly higher than that of normal dogs (P = 0.05) in between 6 and 60 s (P = <0.0001-0.046). This corresponds to a 311% increase in mean pixel intensity in dogs with acute pancreatitis compared to healthy dogs. Wash-in rates were greater and had a consistently steeper slope to peak in dogs with pancreatitis as opposed to healthy dogs. All dogs with pancreatitis showed a decrease in pixel intensity 10-15 days after the initial examination (P = 0.011) and their times to peak values were prolonged compared to the initial exam. Findings from the current study supported the use of CEUS for diagnosing pancreatitis, pancreatic necrosis, and disease monitoring following therapy in dogs.

THE EFFECTS OF FOOD INTAKE AND ITS FAT COMPOSITION ON INTESTINAL ECHOGENICITY IN HEALTHY DOGS.

Dogs presenting for ultrasonography due to suspected gastrointestinal disease might have residual ingesta and this could have an affect on the appearance of intestinal mucosa unrelated to pathology. The purpose of this prospective descriptive study was to determine effects of a recent meal consisting of the recommended daily fat content (meal 1) and a higher fat one (meal 2) on mucosal echogenicity in healthy dogs. Sixty client-owned and clinically healthy dogs were recruited. Two meals, one with 15% fat dry matter basis (meal 1) and a second with 1.5 ml/kg body weight corn oil added to result in a range of 41-63% fat dry matter basis (meal 2), were fed 1 week apart after a 12 h fast. Mucosal echogenicity scores were assigned at fasting, immediate postprandial and at 60 min after each meal. Duodenal scores were significantly greater for meal 1 at 60 min (P < 0.001) as opposed to fasting and immediate postprandial. With meal 2, the duodenal score was significantly different (P < 0.001) at the immediate and 60-min data point compared to meal 1. Jejunal scores were significantly greater for meal 1 at the 60-min data point (P < 0.001) as opposed to fasting and immediate postprandial. With meal 2, the jejunal score was significantly different (P < 0.001) only at the 60-min data point compared to meal 1. Intestinal mucosal echogenicity can be increased in healthy dogs after food intake, regardless of fat content. This effect should be taken into consideration when increased mucosal echogenicity is identified in clinical patients.

DYNAMIC SONOGRAPHY OF THE EQUINE METACARPO(TARSO)PHALANGEAL DIGITAL FLEXOR TENDON SHEATH.

Palmar/plantar annular desmitis is a common disease that may be associated with adhesions and structures affecting the flexor tendons, which requires tenoscopy to diagnose. The purpose of this descriptive study was to develop a dynamic sonographic technique for evaluating the motion of normal equine flexor tendons in relation to the palmar/plantar annular ligament and to compare findings with horses previously diagnosed with palmar/plantar annular desmitis. Ten healthy adult horses were examined prospectively and the images of four horses diagnosed with palmar/plantar annular desmitis were retrospectively evaluated. Dynamic sonography was performed at the level of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint by maximally extending and flexing the interphalangeal joints. Palmar/plantar annular ligament thickness (mm), size of any gap between the flexor tendons, and subjectively increased angulation of the long linear echoes of the superficial digital flexor tendon were measured. The presence of gliding motion between the palmar/plantar annular ligament and superficial digital flexor tendon was determined by consensus. Twenty-eight healthy control limbs (16 hind/12 fore) and four with palmar/plantar annular desmitis (3 hind/1 fore) were evaluated. Controls had unrestricted gliding motion between the palmar/plantar annular ligament and flexor tendons and zero to 13° of angulation of the long linear echoes. The four affected horses had restricted gliding motion and between 20-35° angulation of the long linear echoes. Dynamic ultrasound is a feasible technique for detecting restricted flexor tendon and palmar/plantar annular ligament gliding motion, as well as subjectively increased angulation of the long linear echoes of the flexor tendon in affected horses compared with controls and warrants further investigation.

EX VIVO CORRELATION OF ULTRASONOGRAPHIC SMALL INTESTINAL WALL LAYERING WITH HISTOLOGY IN DOGS.

Canine ultrasonographic intestinal layers have been reported to correlate with histological layering. However, discrepancies have been reported in people, and additional layers visualized. The aim of this method comparison study was to describe ex vivo canine small intestinal layering and correlate it with histology. Small intestinal samples of 12 adult dogs euthanized for reasons unrelated to gastrointestinal disease were resected immediately following euthanasia, pinned on a Petri dish, and transverse ultrasonographic images acquired in a water bath, using a high-frequency linear transducer. Transverse histological sections were obtained at the same level. Measurements of the intestinal layers were performed on the ultrasonographic and histological images. No significant statistical differences were noted between the ultrasonographic and histological measurements and strong to very strong (r > 0.7) positive correlation was observed for all layers, except for the serosa, which had a low moderate positive correlation (r = 0.479). In addition to the five established layers, a dual mucosal echogenicity was consistently observed, with seven samples presenting an additional inner mucosal severe hyperechogenicity. Histologically, this dual echogenicity was attributed to the intestinal villi (mildly echogenic) and lamina propria (hypoechoic). The additional inner mucosal severe hyperechogenicity observed in seven samples was attributed to mild-to-moderate lacteal dilation histologically. In 4/12 ileal samples, an additional hyperechoic mucosal line was also observed parallel to the submucosa, corresponding histologically to prominent Peyer's patches. Finally, a hyperechoic line was observed within the muscularis of all samples, corresponding histologically to the interface between the muscularis longitudinal and circular layers.

VARIABILITY IN THE ULTRASONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF THE PANCREAS IN HEALTHY DOGS COMPARED TO DOGS WITH HYPERADRENOCORTICISM.

Anecdotally, an unusually hyperechoic pancreas can be found in seemingly healthy dogs on ultrasound examination and the prevalence and clinical significance of this finding is unknown. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of a hyperechoic and/or heterogenous pancreas in healthy dogs and correlate these findings to weight, age, and body condition score (BCS). An additional objective was to describe the prevalence of a hyperechoic and/or heterogenous pancreas in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and compare this to the healthy dogs. Pancreata of 74 healthy dogs were evaluated prospectively and pancreatic echogenicity and echotexture were graded. Each dog's age, BCS, and weight were recorded. Dogs were screened for health by physical examination, serum chemistry panel, urine specific gravity, and a canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity assay. Pancreatic images for 92 dogs having hyperadrenocorticism were also reviewed and pancreatic echogenicity and echotexture were recorded. The prevalence of pancreatic hyperechogenicity in normal dogs was 7% (5 of 74) and heterogeneity was 40% (30 of 74). No correlation existed between pancreatic echogenicity and weight, age, or BCS (P > 0.1 for all sets). A statistically significant increase in the proportion of dogs having a hyperechoic pancreas was found in the hyperadrenocorticism sample of dogs (40%, 37 of 92, P < 0.0001). The underlying cause of pancreatic variability in the few healthy dogs and in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism is unknown and the varying appearance of the pancreas in these samples confounds interpretation of diseases such as chronic pancreatitis.

Perianal neuroendocrine tumor with suspected lymph node metastasis causing colonic compression and subsequent megacolon.

An 8-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented with a 4- to 5-month history of a progressively growing mass above her anus and an inability to defecate for 3 to 4 wk. External perianal and internal regional masses were subsequently identified and diagnosed as tumors of neuroendocrine origin through surgical excision and histopathologic evaluation. The cat was treated with 2 courses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Tumeur neuroendocrinienne périanale avec une métastase suspectée des ganglions lymphatiques causant une compression du côlon et un mégacôlon subséquent. Une chatte commune domestique stérilisée âgée de 8 ans a été présentée avec une anamnèse de 4 ou 5 mois d'une masse à croissance progressive au-dessus de l'anus et l'incapacité de déféquer depuis 3 ou 4 semaines. Les masses périanales externes et régionales internes ont été subséquemment identifiées et diagnostiquées comme des tumeurs d'origine neuro-endocrinienne suite à l'excision chirurgicale et une évaluation histopathologique. La chatte a été traitée à l'aide de deux séries de traitement et d'une radiothérapie.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Technique for ultrasound-guided intraarticular cervical articular process injection in the dog.

Ultrasound-guided intraarticular injection of cervical articular process joints is a well-established procedure in both humans and horses for neck pain resulting from osteoarthritis, but the technique has not been described in dogs. Aims of this study were to describe the ultrasonographic anatomy and landmarks for cervical articular process joint injections in the dog, develop a technique for articular process joint injections using these landmarks, and determine the accuracy of injections and factors that may influence it. Eleven canine cadavers were used and bilateral joint spaces from C2-3 to C7-T1 were injected under ultrasound guidance with a blue radiopaque solution. A computed tomographic scan was acquired following each injection, and an injection score was assigned and compared with other patient-specific factors. Of the 132 injections performed, 110 (83.3%) were intraarticular, 20 (15.1%) were periarticular within 5 mm, and 2 (1.5%) were periarticular beyond 5 mm from the joint. There was no significant difference in mean scores between dogs. Only C2-3 had a significantly lower mean score than any other joint. There was no significant correlation between injection score and any other factors measured. The transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae served as excellent ultrasonographic landmarks for identifying the cervical articular process joints in dogs regardless of the size of the dog or location along the vertebrae. Accuracy of ultrasound-guided intraarticular process joint injection was 83% in dogs and similar to published techniques in horses. Further studies are needed to examine the safety and efficacy of this procedure in live animals.

Transthoracic lung ultrasound in normal dogs and dogs with cardiogenic pulmonary edema: a pilot study.

Pulmonary edema is the most common complication of left-sided heart failure in dogs and early detection is important for effective clinical management. In people, pulmonary edema is commonly diagnosed based on transthoracic ultrasonography and detection of B line artifacts (vertical, narrow-based, well-defined hyperechoic rays arising from the pleural surface). The purpose of this study was to determine whether B line artifacts could also be useful diagnostic predictors for cardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs. Thirty-one normal dogs and nine dogs with cardiogenic pulmonary edema were prospectively recruited. For each dog, presence or absence of cardiogenic pulmonary edema was based on physical examination, heartworm testing, thoracic radiographs, and echocardiography. A single observer performed transthoracic ultrasonography in all dogs and recorded video clips and still images for each of four quadrants in each hemithorax. Distribution, sonographic characteristics, and number of B lines per thoracic quadrant were determined and compared between groups. B lines were detected in 31% of normal dogs (mean 0.9 ± 0.3 SD per dog) and 100% of dogs with cardiogenic pulmonary edema (mean 6.2 ± 3.8 SD per dog). Artifacts were more numerous and widely distributed in dogs with congestive heart failure (P < 0.0001). In severe cases, B lines increased in number and became confluent. The locations of B line artifacts appeared consistent with locations of edema on radiographs. Findings from the current study supported the use of thoracic ultrasonography and detection of B lines as techniques for diagnosing cardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs.

Musculoskeletal injury in thoroughbred racehorses: correlation of findings using multiple imaging modalities.

Adaptive and nonadaptive stress remodeling in Thoroughbred racehorses leads to most of their musculoskeletal injuries, and imaging plays an important role in its detection. Bone scintigraphy is important for detecting stress remodeling and stress fractures and aids in decision making when more than one lesion is present on MRI or radiographic examinations. MRI likely represents the best modality for the assessment of osteoarthritis of the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. Ultrasonography remains important as the first modality for the assessment of tendon and ligamentous injury. However, injury to the proximal suspensory and distal sesamoidean ligaments may be best diagnosed with MRI.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the effects of azithromycin on antral motility and gastric emptying in healthy cats.

BACKGROUND: Erythromycin, a macrolide antibiotic with motilin agonist properties, shortens gastric emptying (GE) time in healthy cats. Azithromycin, another macrolide antibiotic, is effective for treatment of gastric paresis in people. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of azithromycin on GE and gastric motility in healthy cats in comparison with erythromycin (positive control) and placebo. ANIMALS: Eight healthy purpose-bred cats. METHODS: Prospective, blinded, crossover study. Cats received either azithromycin (3.5 mg/kg PO q24h), erythromycin (1 mg/kg PO q8h), or placebo for 24 hours before and during evaluation of GE. A validated method using ultrasound for sequential measurements of antral area as well as amplitude and frequency of contractions was used to assess GE and evaluate gastric antral motility postprandially over an 8-hour period. RESULTS: GE was significantly faster (P < .05) after administration of azithromycin and erythromycin when compared to placebo in the late phase of fractional emptying from 75% (mean ± SD: 327 ± 51 minutes, 327 ± 22 minutes, and 367 ± 29 minutes, respectively), to 95% fractional emptying (399 ± 52 minutes, 404 ± 11 minutes, and 444 ± 24 minutes, respectively). The drugs had no significant effect on antral motility variables at any time point. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Azithromycin and erythromycin shorten GE time in a comparable manner in healthy cats. Evaluation of their efficacy in cats with gastric dysmotility is warranted.

CT characterisation and classification of feline temporomandibular joint trauma: a case series of 79 cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterise and describe patterns of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries occurring in cats using CT. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in adherence with the STROBE guidelines. Among the medical and CT records of 79 cats, 158 TMJs were reviewed in a collaborative study between six institutions. RESULTS: TMJ injuries were most commonly unilateral, representing 70.9% of cases. The mandibular condyle was fractured in 88 cases (55.7%) of the 158 TMJs observed. Of those, 84.0% were intra-articular condyle fractures, with the medial half of the mandibular condyle over-represented. Luxations occurred in 32.9% of cases, which was 19.0% of all evaluated TMJs. Rostrodorsal luxations were most common representing 87.0% of all luxations. Temporal bone fractures were observed in 30.4% of all cases, which was 18.4% of TMJs. The majority of fractures were of an unknown cause. When the cause was determined, road traffic accident (RTA) was the most frequent, followed by animal interaction, other external forces (sharp or blunt force) and high-rise trauma. Bilateral injuries were 13.1 times more likely to occur in high-rise trauma (P = 0.01) and temporal bone fracture was significantly associated with RTAs (P = 0.016). No other significant associations were observed between cause of injury and the resulting TMJ injury pattern. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Various TMJ injury patterns can occur in cats as a result of trauma. Intra-articular fractures of the medial half of the mandibular condyle occur most commonly. Although unilateral injuries are more frequent, high-rise trauma tends to present with bilateral lesions. Further studies with a larger sample size should be performed to better understand TMJ patterns of injury and how they relate to possible causes.

Computed tomography myelography technique and spinal morphometry in healthy Yucatan pigs.

Porcine models of spinal cord injury (SCI) have an irreplaceable role in the development of experimental therapies. There is little literature regarding CT myelogram (CTM) techniques in swine and morphometry in miniature swine has not been established. A CT-guided method for performing myelography as well as reference values for spinal morphometry in healthy Yucatan miniature swine is lacking. The goal of this study is to describe a CT-guided method of performing CTM in a porcine model of SCI and to establish spinal morphometric reference values in mature Yucatan pigs. Six healthy, Yucatan sows, 9 months of age, weighing between 39-57.7kg, with no history of spinal disease, spinal injury, or neurologic deficits on physical exam were used in this study. CT myelography was performed in each sow under general anesthesia. CT scout images were used to guide needle placement at the L3-L4 intervertebral site. Once correct needle placement was confirmed using a 1ml test injection, a full dose of iodinated contrast (0.3ml/kg) was injected slowly over a 2-minute time period. Morphometry was performed using area measurements of the spinal cord (SC), vertebral body (VB), dural sac (DS), and vertebral canal (VC) at the mid-body and the intervertebral disc space of each spinal segment. Of the quantitative measurements, the spinal cord surface area had the widest range of values and the greatest coefficient of variance (CV) while those parameters for the vertebral canal had a low CV. Of the morphometric ratios, the DS:VC, had the lowest CV while the spinal cord ratios to DS and VC had the highest (>30). The vertebral canal surface area and the dural space: vertebral canal ratio may serve as reference values in future studies using this animal model.