Diagnostic imaging of oronasal fistulas in a dachshund.

Oronasal fistula development is described anecdotally as a common disease process in the dachshund but little is known about its imaging appearance. This case report describes the clinical presentation, computed tomography (CT) characterisation, dental radiograph confirmation and treatment of bilateral oronasal fistulas in a 14-year-old dachshund.

Retrospective evaluation of canine and feline maxillomandibular trauma cases. A comparison of signalment with non-maxillomandibular traumatic injuries (2003-2012).

OBJECTIVES: To determine differences in signalment between maxillomandibular (MM) and non-maxillomandibular (non-MM) trauma patients to help predict the type of injury sustained. METHODS: A medical records database was searched from December 2003 to September 2012 to identify all MM trauma patients. A random sample of non-MM trauma patients was generated for comparison. Patient species, age, sex, weight, and injury aetiology were recorded for both populations. RESULTS: Sixty-seven MM trauma patients and 129 non-MM trauma patients were identified. Feline patients were almost twice as likely to be presented for MM trauma compared with non-MM trauma. The median weight of canine patients suffering MM injury was significantly less than that of non-MM patients (p = 0.025). A significant association existed between the causes of injuries associated with MM and non-MM trauma populations (p = 0.000023). The MM trauma patients were more likely to sustain injury as a result of an animal altercation (Bonferroni p = 0.001) while non-MM injuries were more likely to result from motor vehicle accidents (Bonferroni p = 0.001). Overall, animals that were less than one year of age with traumatic injuries were overrepresented (65/196) in comparison to the entire patient population. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study may help guide clinicians in the evaluation and screening of trauma patients that are presented as an emergency. Cats, small dogs and animals suffering from animal altercations should all be closely evaluated for MM injury.

Retrospective evaluation of canine and feline maxillomandibular trauma cases. Comparison of lunar cycle and seasonality with non-maxillomandibular traumatic injuries (2003-2012).

OBJECTIVES: To determine relationships between seasonality and lunar cycle and the frequency of maxillomandibular (MM) and non-maxillomandibular (non-MM) injury in canine and feline trauma patients. METHODS: A medical records database was searched to identify all MM trauma patients (n = 67) and a random sample of non-MM trauma patients (n = 129) according to search criteria. Season of injury, moon phase, and moon luminosity were calculated for the date of injury. RESULTS: Maxillomandibular injury occurred predominately in the spring and decreased through winter while non-MM injury occurred more frequently in the summer and fall. The difference in the frequency of MM and non-MM injuries during different seasons was not significant (p = 0.071). When comparing the amount of moon illuminated when injuries occurred during the quarters before or after the full moon, a difference (p = 0.007) was noted with a greater number of injuries occurring immediately following the full moon. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results may guide clinicians to closely evaluate trauma patients that are presented on emergency during a particular season or lunar phase. Based on the season at the time of injury, close evaluation for MM versus non-MM trauma may be appropriate.

Prevalence and nature of dentoalveolar injuries among patients with maxillofacial fractures.

OBJECTIVE: Although not previously reported, experience suggests that dentoalveolar injury is -common among patients with maxillofacial fractures. The objective of this study was to evaluate and describe the prevalence and nature of dentoalveolar injuries in patients identified with maxillofacial fractures. METHODS: Medical records of 43 dogs and cats diagnosed with maxillofacial fractures between 2005 and 2012 were reviewed to identify patients with concurrent dentoalveolar injury. Medical records of patients with dentoalveolar injury were abstracted for the following information: signalment (including sex, age and skull type), mechanism of maxillofacial trauma, location and number of maxillofacial fractures, dentoalveolar injury type and location and the number of dentoalveolar injury per patient. Statistical evaluation was performed to determine associations between signalment, mechanism of trauma, location and number of maxillofacial fractures and the prevalence and nature of concurrent dentoalveolar injury. RESULTS: Dentoalveolar injuries are common among patients with maxillofacial trauma. Age and mechanism of trauma are significant predictors of the presence of dentoalveolar injuries in patients with maxillofacial trauma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings of this study serve to encourage veterinarians to fully assess the oral cavity in patients with maxillofacial fractures as dentoalveolar injuries are common and can be predicted by age and mechanism of trauma.