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).

Presence of Qac genes in clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and their impact on chlorhexidine digluconate susceptibility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) (resistance genes, qac A/B, smr, qacG, and qacJ, in clinical isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MSSP) and methicillin-resistant S pseudintermedius (MRSP) from dogs and the impact on in vitro chlorhexidine susceptibility. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental in vitro study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Seventy isolates from dogs colonized or infected with MRSP (n = 50) or MSSP (n = 20). METHODS: Agar dilution was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of chlorhexidine digluconate. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of QAC resistance genes, qacA/B, smr, qacG, and qacJ genes. RESULTS: One or more qac genes were identified in 52 of 70 (74%) isolates. Overall, there was no association between chlorhexidine MIC and the presence of one or more qac genes (P = .85) or the presence of qacA/B (P = .31), smr (P = .72) or qacJ (P = .93) individually. There was an association between qacG and MIC (P = .012), with a median MIC of 1.5 µg/mL for isolates possessing this gene and 1 µg/mL for those not possessing it. CONCLUSION: Quaternary ammonium compound resistance genes were present in MRSP and MSSP isolates. With the exception of qacG, the presence of these genes was not associated with increased MIC. All isolates exhibited MIC 5000 to 80 000 times lower than the concentration recommended for use. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the presence of QAC genes, chlorhexidine digluconate should be effective against MRSP and MSSP if used correctly.

Visuospatial skills are better predictors than dexterity for basic ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic skills in veterinary students.

Radiological skills including ultrasonography and fluoroscopy, require a combination of manual dexterity and visuospatial skill to develop competency. The ability to detect veterinary students with an interest in radiology but who are deficient in these skills, may permit more individual adaptations to training programs, allowing for students training in radiology to achieve maximal potential. The objective of this cohort study was to investigate whether innate dexterity and visuospatial skill could be used to predict performance of basic ultrasound and fluoroscopic skills in veterinary students. Fifty veterinary students from the Ontario Veterinary College completed three tests of visuospatial ability, two tests of manual dexterity, a three-dimensional mouse task, an ultrasound skill-testing task, and a fluoroscopic skill-testing task. Students who reported chopstick use completed the non-dominant hand ultrasound task significantly faster than students who did not (P = 0.001). There was a significant positive association between scores on the Mental Rotations Test and time to complete the non-dominant hand ultrasound task (P = 0.011) and fluoroscopy task (P = 0.029). No variables were associated with time to complete the dominant hand ultrasound task. The results of this study suggest that visuospatial skill, as assessed by the Mental Rotations Test, is a better predictor of baseline ultrasound and endovascular fluoroscopy skill than dexterity, with the exception of reported chopstick use, in veterinary students. Visuospatial skills can be developed and may be useful to include in the veterinary curriculum for students that are deficient, or students entering a field such as diagnostic imaging.

Struvite urolithiasis with eosinophilic polypoid cystitis in a shih tzu dog.

A 7-year-old female spayed shih tzu dog was presented with hematuria of 4 weeks' duration. Radiographs revealed 1 cystic calculus. A polypoid mass was found incidentally during cystotomy and was removed by partial cystectomy. Histopathology revealed eosinophilic polypoid cystitis and urolith analysis reported struvite. A urinary tract infection was treated.

Urolithiase de struvite avec cystite polypoïde éosinophilique chez une chienne Shih tzu. Une chienne Shih Tzu stérilisée âgée de 7 ans a été présentée avec une hématurie d'une durée de 4 semaines. Les radiographies ont révélé un calcul cystique. Une masse poylpoïde a été trouvée accessoirement et enlevée par cystectomie partielle. L'histopathologie a révélé une cystite polypoïde éosiniphilique et l'analyse des urolithes a signalé une struvite. Une infection urinaire a été traitée.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Surgical treatment of a persistent right aortic arch with concurrent patent ductus arteriosus in a 4-month-old German shepherd dog.

A 4-month-old intact female German shepherd dog was presented with a history of postprandial regurgitation, a palpably distended cervical oesophagus after eating, and poor weight gain despite a ravenous appetite. Computed tomography angiography, esophagoscopy and echocardiography identified a persistent right aortic arch with a concurrent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) causing extraluminal oesophageal compression leading to marked segmental megaoesophagus. A heart murmur was not detectable. A left lateral thoracotomy was performed to ligate and transect the PDA without complication. The dog was discharged with mild aspiration pneumonia which resolved with antimicrobial therapy. Twelve months post-surgery the owners reported no regurgitation.