Intra- and Extra-articular Features of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis in the Cat (Felis catus).

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is an uncommon clinical entity in human and veterinary medicine. However, the condition is severely debilitating and is life-limiting if not treated. This study sought to characterize the intra- and extra-articular features of naturally occurring TMJ ankylosis in cats. TMJs from client-owned cats (n = 5) that underwent bilateral TMJ gap arthroplasty were examined and compared with TMJs from healthy, age-matched feline cadavers (n = 2) by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), micro-computed tomography (µCT) and histologically. Features of bilateral intra- and extra-articular ankylosis compounded by degenerative joint lesions were identified radiographically and histologically in all affected cats. Features of TMJ 'true' ankylosis included variable intracapsular fibro-osseous bridging, degeneration of the disc and the articular surfaces, narrowing of the joint space and flattening of the condylar process of the mandible. Extra-articular features of TMJ ankylosis included periarticular bone formation and fibro-osseous bridging between the mandible, zygomatic arch and coronoid process. In addition, subchondral bone loss or sclerosis, irregular and altered joint contours and irregularly increased density of the medullary bone characterized the degenerative changes of the osseous components of the TMJ. Complex radiological and histological features of both ankylosis and pseudoankylosis were identified that clinically manifested in complete inability to open the mouth.

Multifocal discrete osteolysis in a horse with silicate associated osteoporosis.

Silicate associated osteoporosis (SAO) was diagnosed post mortem in an adult horse with the shortest documented exposure to cytotoxic silicates of 2 years. The horse was evaluated for a 6-months history of progressive back tenderness and acute onset of lameness. The horse had a marked (4/5) [American Association of Equine Practitioners scale] left forelimb lameness, moderate (2/5) hindlimb ataxia and weakness, and cervical pain upon palpation. Physical examination did not reveal clinical skeletal deformities or respiratory compromise. Radiographs revealed widespread, discrete, sharply delineated, osteolytic lesions in the skull, vertebral column, ribs, scapulae and middle phalanx (P2) of the left forelimb and a diffuse bronchointerstitial lung pattern. The presumptive clinical diagnosis was widespread, metastatic osteolytic neoplasia. Due to the poor quality of life and grave prognosis, the horse was humanely euthanised. Post mortem examination revealed pulmonary silicosis in the lungs and hilar lymph nodes and osteolytic lesions with numerous, large osteoclasts and disorganised bone remodeling both consistent with SAO. SAO should be included as a differential diagnosis for horses with widespread, multifocal, discrete osteolysis and history of exposure to endemic regions with possible cytotoxic silicate inhalation. Exposure time of 2 years is potentially sufficient to develop SAO.

Assessment of quantitative polymerase chain reaction for equine herpesvirus-5 in blood, nasal secretions and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for the laboratory diagnosis of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The ante mortem diagnosis of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) relies on histopathological results and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive equine herpesvirus (EHV)-5 testing of lung tissue. Polymerase chain reaction detection of EHV-5 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is commonly used to support a diagnosis of EMPF. However, the diagnostic power of EHV-5 testing on BALF and other biological samples such as blood and nasal secretions has yet to be shown to support a diagnosis of EMPF. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of detection and the viral loads of EHV-5 by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in blood, nasal secretions and BALF from horses confirmed with EMPF, healthy horses and horses with non-EMPF pulmonary diseases. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: The study population consisted of 70 adult horses divided into 4 groups based on a combination of clinical findings, cytology of BALF, imaging studies of the thoracic cavity and histopathology of pulmonary tissue: control group (n = 14), EMPF group (n = 11); inflammatory airway disease group (n = 32); and non-EMPF interstitial lung disease group (n = 13). For each horse, whole blood, nasal secretions and BALF were available for EHV-5 qPCR testing. Sensitivities, specificities and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated for viral loads from blood, nasal secretions and BALF. In addition, these measures were calculated for combined use of blood and nasal secretions. RESULTS: The detection of EHV-5 in BALF was strongly associated with EMPF (sensitivity 91%, specificity 98.3%). Detection of EHV-5 in blood was, independent of the viral loads, strongly associated with EMPF with a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 83.1%. The detection of EHV-5 in nasal secretions displayed the highest sensitivity (72.7%) and specificity (83.1%) at a level of >245,890 glycoprotein B target genes/million cells to support a diagnosis of EMPF. Dually positive blood and nasal secretions at any viral loads in support of EMPF yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 89.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although histopathological confirmation (lung biopsy) is considered the gold standard for EMPF diagnosis, results of qPCR testing of BALF or a combination of whole blood and nasal secretions should be regarded as clinically useful in support of this diagnosis. The latter testing may be relevant when dealing with horses in respiratory distress, for which invasive procedures such as BALF collection or lung biopsies may be detrimental to their health.

Caudal lumbar vertebral fractures in California Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racehorses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: To gain insight into the pathophysiology of equine lumbar vertebral fractures in racehorses. OBJECTIVES: To characterise equine lumbar vertebral fractures in California racehorses. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series and prospective case-control study. METHODS: Racehorse post mortem reports and jockey injury reports were retrospectively reviewed. Vertebral specimens from 6 racehorses affected with lumbar vertebral fractures and 4 control racehorses subjected to euthanasia for nonspinal fracture were assessed using visual, radiographic, computed tomography and histological examinations. RESULTS: Lumbar vertebral fractures occurred in 38 Quarter Horse and 29 Thoroughbred racehorses over a 22 year period, primarily involving the 5th and/or 6th lumbar vertebrae (L5-L6; 87% of Quarter Horses and 48% of Thoroughbreds). Lumbar vertebral fractures were the third most common musculoskeletal cause of death in Quarter Horses and frequently involved a jockey injury. Lumbar vertebral specimens contained anatomical variations in the number of vertebrae, dorsal spinous processes and intertransverse articulations. Lumbar vertebral fractures examined in 6 racehorse specimens (5 Quarter Horses and one Thoroughbred) coursed obliquely in a cranioventral to caudodorsal direction across the adjacent L5-L6 vertebral endplates and intervertebral disc, although one case involved only one endplate. All cases had evidence of abnormalities on the ventral aspect of the vertebral bodies consistent with pre-existing, maladaptive pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar vertebral fractures occur in racehorses with pre-existing pathology at the L5-L6 vertebral junction that is likely predisposes horses to catastrophic fracture. Knowledge of these findings should encourage assessment of the lumbar vertebrae, therefore increasing detection of mild vertebral injuries and preventing catastrophic racehorse and associated jockey injuries.

Erythema multiforme and epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma in the oral cavity of dogs: 1989 to 2009.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical signs, major laboratory findings, diagnostic procedures and outcome in dogs with erythema multiforme or epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma of the oral cavity. METHODS: Retrospective analysis identified 14 client-owned dogs with erythema multiforme or epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma of the oral cavity. Histological changes were combined with immunohistochemistry and clonality testing data in selected cases, and a clinical follow-up was acquired. RESULTS: Ulcerative stomatitis with no significant or only minor abnormalities on haematology and serum biochemistry panels was common. Histological features were diagnostic in seven cases. The use of immunohistochemistry distinguished the two diseases in an additional three cases. In four cases, the diagnosis remained questionable, and clonality testing for T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement helped confirm erythema multiforme in one case. Clinical follow-up revealed erythema multiforme in two and epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma in one of the remaining questionable cases. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Erythema multiforme and epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma may affect, but are rarely limited to the oral cavity of dogs, and they usually present as stomatitis. Histological features alone are not always diagnostic. Immunohistochemistry and clonality testing may assist in the differentiation between the two, but in ambiguous cases, repeated biopsy and clinical follow-up are essential.