Accuracy evaluation of a two-wire technique for osteotomy positioning in the tibial plateau levelling procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) saw blade positioning technique and to retrospectively evaluate the accuracy of the osteotomy position. METHOD: Preoperative and postoperative radiographs of 72 cases that had a TPLO surgery using a two-wire technique were reviewed. Three measurements (A1, B1, C1) were obtained in preoperative planning using a computer template system (Orthoview Vet) which mapped the intended osteotomy position. The postoperative radiographs were analysed to determine the variability of these three measurements (A2, B2, C2) and therefore the accuracy of the osteotomy. RESULTS: On average the least variable measurement was B2 (5%) followed by C2 (7%) and then A2 (13%). The maximum mean difference between the intended position and achieved position was 1.5 mm. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Despite there being a significant difference between the intended and the actual position of the osteotomy, the variation between the intended and actual tibial tuberosity width was small (5%). None of the cases suffered a tibial tuberosity fracture, which also supports the clinical value of this technique. Care must be taken to avoid inadvertent cutting of the Kirschner guide wires.

A comprehensive pathological survey of duodenal biopsies from dogs with diet-responsive chronic enteropathy.

BACKGROUND: The detailed pathological phenotype of diet-responsive chronic enteropathy (CE) and its modulation with dietary therapy remain poorly characterized. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Key mucosal lesions of diet-responsive CE resolve with dietary therapy. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of 20 dogs with diet-responsive CE. Endoscopic duodenal biopsies collected before and 6 weeks after the start of a dietary trial were assessed by means of qualitative and quantitative histopathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural criteria. Control duodenal biopsies were obtained from 10 healthy Beagle dogs on 1 occasion. RESULTS: Compared with control dogs, the CE dogs had higher villus stunting scores and higher overall WSAVA scores, a lower villus height-to-width ratio, and higher lamina propria density of eosinophils. The CE dogs also had ultrastructural lesions of the mitochondria and brush border. In common with other studies in which the disease and control populations are not matched for breed, age, sex, and environment, these comparisons should be interpreted with caution. Comparing biopsies collected at presentation and 6 weeks after starting the dietary trial, mean lamina propria mononuclear cell score and lamina propria densities of eosinophils and mononuclear cells decreased. Dietary therapy also improved ultrastructural lesions of the mitochondria and brush border, eliciting a decrease in intermicrovillar space and an increase in microvillus height. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In dogs with diet-responsive CE, the remission of clinical signs with dietary therapy is associated with subtle decreases in lamina propria density of eosinophils and mononuclear cells, and resolution of ultrastructural lesions of the enterocyte.