Outcomes Following Transcorneal Diode Laser Ablation of Uveal Cysts: 48 Horses (2006-2020).

Uveal cysts can lead to undesirable behaviors and poor performance in horses. Transcorneal laser ablation has been proposed as a safe and effective treatment for uveal cysts suspected of causing behavioral changes but outcomes have been reported in only a small number of horses. In this retrospective study, records were identified for horses who had undergone transcorneal cyst ablation using a diode laser. Information was collected regarding signalment, behavioral or performance issues reported prior to the procedure, and complications. Owners were contacted to provide follow-up information regarding resolution of behavioral issues. Seventy eyes from 48 horses were treated. Undesirable behaviors or performance issues were reported prior to the procedure in 35 horses, and follow-up information was provided for 22 of those horses. Of these 22 horses, 59% of owners reported significant improvements in behavior or performance, 27% reported some improvement, and 14% reported no improvement. No significant complications were reported in association with the procedure. Although follow-up data were available for only a subset of horses, transcorneal diode laser ablation was an effective means of resolving owner-reported behavioral or performance complaints believed to be caused by uveal cysts for many of the horses in this group. Further work is needed to assess effects of uveal cysts on equine behavior and to characterize effects of transcorneal diode laser ablation prospectively.

Diagnosing plantar fibromas - Beware of sarcomas.

Plantar fibromas are a common diagnosis in orthopaedic foot clinic consultation, diagnosis of plantar fibroma is usually from history and examination, and radiological investigation may be needed to confirm diagnosis. Misdiagnosis, however, of plantar fibroma have been known to happen. The management of five cases of plantar soft tissue swellings were reviewed; the clinical presentation and radiological investigation findings of these cases are discussed with the aim of improving knowledge and awareness.

Evaluation of a prototype dynamic laryngoplasty system in vitro with an equine vacuum airflow system.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a prototype dynamic laryngoplasty system (DLPS) in a static airflow model. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. SAMPLE POPULATION: Ten equine larynges. METHODS: The right arytenoid was fixed in abduction in all specimens. A left-sided laryngoplasty was performed with No. 2 Fiberwire and a FASTakII anchor. Each larynx was tested in a static airflow model. The system was adjusted to a flow rate of 55 L/s and prelaryngeal pressure of 12 mm Hg prior to testing in maximal arytenoid abduction. In phase 1, the left suture was loosened, shortened, and tested in 3-mm steps from 0 to 30 mm. In phase 2, the suture was tied with the DLPS in position at a target left-to-right quotient angle (LRQ) of 0.5. The DLPS was activated to target psi of 0, 25, and 50 for testing. Translaryngeal impedance (TLI), LRQ, cross-sectional areas (CSA), and resultant change in LRQ and CSA between, before, and during airflow testing were calculated. RESULTS: In phase 1, TLI was reduced by suture shortening up to 6 mm (P = .001) but not by additional shortening (P > .05). In phase 2, activation of the DLPS reduced the TLI from 0 psi (0.43 ± 0.08 mm Hg/L/s) to 25 psi (0.16 ± 0.04 mm Hg/L/s, P < .001), but no further reduction was detected at maximal psi (P = .10). CONCLUSION: Activation of the DLPS effectively reduced TLI. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results justify further investigation of the DLPS to assess its clinical applicability.

Skeletal Metastases and Benign Mimics on NaF PET/CT: A Pictorial Review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to present examples in which sodium fluoride labelled with 18F (NaF) bone PET/CT would be a useful adjunct to guide complex clinical decisions about the staging, restaging, and treatment approach for patients with skeletal metastases and benign causes of NaF activity that can be mistaken for bone metastases. We present a pictorial review of selected cases of this cohort of patients. CONCLUSION: NaF PET/CT hybrid fusion imaging is extremely useful in identifying potential causes of pain in patients with malignancies that have an affinity for skeletal metastases. This technique can help detect bone metastases, in problem solving, and to direct appropriate management.

Successful management of recurrent pregnancy-related thrombotic thrombocytopaenia purpura in a renal transplant recipient.

Thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura (TTP) is a rare but potentially devastating complication of pregnancy. We report the first documented case of a successful treatment of recurrent TTP complicating pregnancy in a renal transplant patient.

A retrospective comparative study of tunneled haemodialysis catheters inserted through occluded or collateral veins versus conventional methods.

Tunneled hemodialysis catheters become essential in dialysis access when there is no possibility of using a functioning arteriovenous fistula. Collateral or occluded veins visible on ultrasound are used for puncture and passage of catheters into the central venous system. Chronically occluded veins are crossed with guidewires to allow dilatation and subsequent passage of hemodialysis catheters. We performed a retrospective analysis of patient demographics, comorbidities, procedural complications, functional survival, performance, and history of previous vascular access. The study group was compared with two control groups in which dialysis catheters were inserted either by radiologists in the interventional suite or by clinicians on the wards. Nineteen patients from the study group were compared with same number of patients in both control groups. The mean age of the study group was higher compared with the control groups. There was no significant difference in mean functional survival, infection rates, dialysis pump speeds in the first 2 weeks, and procedural complications between the study group and the controls. The study group had a significantly higher number of previous vascular access interventions, longer dialysis careers, and more comorbidities. Tunneled dialysis catheter placement by way of collateral or occluded veins appears safe and effective. These techniques give the operator further options when faced with patients possessing challenging vascular access. Indeed, there may be a case for preferential use of these veins to keep patent central veins in reserve.