Canine thyroid carcinoma prognosis following the utilisation of computed tomography assisted staging.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic disease is frequently present at the time of diagnosis of canine thyroid carcinoma; however, utilisation of computed tomography (CT) alone for staging pre-treatment has been rarely reported in the veterinary literature. METHODS: The aims of this retrospective study were to stage affected dogs using CT findings of the cervical and thoracic regions, combined with histopathology/cytology results, in order to assess whether metastatic disease/WHO staging was of prognostic significance. RESULTS: Fifty-eight dogs were included in the study. Classification of cases into WHO stages I, II, III and IV were 10%, 50%, 9% and 31%, respectively. No statistically significant effect of WHO stage classification on overall survival/follow-up time was found (P = .576). Surgery resulted in a statistically significant increase in overall survival/follow-up time (P < .01). There was no statistically significant effect on overall survival/follow-up time in dogs that received medical therapy, either as sole therapy or as an adjunctive post-surgery (P = .198). CONCLUSION: In summary, this study documents the metastatic rate of canine thyroid carcinoma using CT for staging pre-treatment. Staging utilising CT revealed a higher distant metastatic rate in dogs with thyroid carcinoma when compared to historical studies using different imaging techniques. As long-term outcomes are possible for cases with advanced disease, surgical intervention could still be considered.

CT findings in 20 dogs and six cats with confirmed nasal foreign bodies.

The diagnosis and treatment of nasal foreign bodies usually includes a combination of rhinoscopy and imaging techniques, such as CT. The purpose of this retrospective, multicenter study was to describe the CT characteristics of nasal foreign bodies in dogs and cats and to determine if different nasal CT features exist between acute and chronic cases. Twenty dogs and six cats met the inclusion criteria. Eleven nasal foreign bodies (42%) were detected confidently with CT. The foreign body had a linear shape in 81% of cases and displayed a "tubular-like appearance" in 54% of cases. In five cases (19%), a foreign body was suspected but not clearly visible. Additional CT changes were present in the nasal passages in 96% of the cases. The presence of turbinate destruction (P = .021) and mucosal thickening (P = .014) on CT were associated with the presence of a chronic nasal foreign body. In this sample, the nature of the foreign body did not influence its visibility and was not associated with specific CT characteristics. Computed tomography may be useful in the investigation of nasal foreign bodies, however, a negative CT examination does not exclude their presence.

Computed tomographic documentation of the natural progression of humeral intracondylar fissure in a cocker spaniel.

OBJECTIVE: To report the computed tomographic (CT) documentation of humeral intracondylar fissure (HIF) developing after complete ossification of the humeral condyle (HC). STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report. ANIMALS: Male 3 year old working (English) Cocker Spaniel. METHODS: Sequential CT screening (659-day interval between analyses). RESULTS: A sagittal hypodense fissure typical of incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC) was identified ≈ 22 months after screening CT examination documented a normal elbow joint. CONCLUSION: Even in dogs with clinical features typical of the condition most commonly termed IOHC, fissure formation and propagation can occur after ossification is complete.

Radiographic diameter of the colon in normal and constipated cats and in cats with megacolon.

Radiographs of 50 cats with no history of gastrointestinal disease were evaluated to establish a normal reference range for radiographic diameter of the feline colon. Thirteen cats with constipation and 26 with megacolon were also evaluated and compared with the normal cats to characterize the accuracy of the reference range and to identify a cutoff to distinguish constipation from megacolon. A ratio of maximal diameter of the colon to L5 length was the most repeatable and accurate measurement. A ratio <1.28 is a strong indicator of a normal colon (sensitivity 96%, specificity 87%). A value >1.48 is a good indicator of megacolon (sensitivity 77%, specificity 85%).