Computed tomography and magnetic resonance diagnosis of variations in the anatomical location of the major salivary glands in 1680 dogs and 187 cats

During assessment of routine clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heads of dogs, variations in the location of mandibular and zygomatic salivary glands (SGs) were observed incidentally. The aims of this retrospective study were to describe anatomical variations of the major SGs found on MRI and computed tomography (CT) studies of the head in dogs and cats and to investigate possible clinical relevancy. No anatomical variation of the SGs was seen in cats, but in dogs, although variation of the parotid SG was not identified, that of the mandibular SG was found in 33/1680 animals (2%), either unilaterally (6/33 right-sided, 13/33 left-sided) or bilaterally (14/33). The Border terrier breed (19/33, 58%) was over-represented. Each atypically located mandibular SG was positioned medial to the digastric muscle and rostral to the retropharyngeal lymph node. The sublingual glands were difficult to delineate from the mandibular glands. Anatomical variation of one zygomatic gland (3/4 left-sided) was identified in four small-breed dogs (0.2%). Each atypically located zygomatic gland was tilted at the ventrorostral aspect of the masseter muscle underneath the skin surface. MRI and CT characteristics were not different between typically and atypically located SGs. None of the dogs had clinical signs related with SG disease. It was concluded that, with suspected breed predispositions, incidental unilateral or bilateral anatomical variations of mandibular and zygomatic SGs can be encountered in dogs and an awareness of these possible variations may be important in pre-surgical planning

Empleo del sistema de mamografía para el estudio radiológico de la cavidad torácica en la especie felina

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar los factores de exposición y la calidad de las imágenes radiográficas de la cavidad torácica de la especie felina obtenidas con las combinaciones películapantalla convencional y el sistema de mamografía. Para llevar a cabo tal objetivo hemos empleado dos combinaciones de película-pantalla, uno convencional (Ortocromático Fine) y otro de mamografía (Detail S), realizando radiografías de la cavidad torácica con cada una de las combinaciones película-pantalla a dos grupos de animales, grupo A sin síntomas respiratorios, y grupo B con una historia clínica de enfermedad respiratoria. En el grupo A no se encontraron diferencias significativas (p>O,05) entre las imágenes obtenidas con ambos sistemas, mientras que en el caso de los animales del grupo B se observó una mayor nitidez (p<O,05) en las radiografías realizadas con el sistema de mamografía. Los resultados de nuestra experiencia muestran que la calidad de la imagen radiológica obtenida con el sistema de mamografía es superior al convencional en el estudio de la cavidad torácica de la especie felina, en el caso de ser requerido para el estudio de alteraciones del parénquima pulmonar

Wings of knowledge:navigating learner confidence and cognitive load in avian radiography with a low fidelity model

In veterinary first opinion practice, radiography is an important diagnostic tool for avian patients. Teaching of such diagnostic skills to learners is usually conducted using teaching models in clinical skills laboratories. The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of using a teaching model for avian radiography positioning by measuring learner's cognitive load, confidence, satisfaction, and assessing learning by OSCE assessment. An avian radiography positioning model was created and evaluated with pre- and post-Likert questions on confidence, a pre and post 9-point cognitive load scale, an OSCE assessment (max score = 20), and post Likert questions on satisfaction. Thirty-two undergraduate veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing students participated in the study. The results showed the cognitive load of participants was high and did not change with the use of a physical model (p = .882). Participants exhibited increased confidence in avian radiography positioning (pre; M = 2, post; M = 4, p &lt; .001) and expressed high overall satisfaction with the model (x̄ = 4.6, no negative or neutral Likert responses). The OSCE results demonstrated a higher pass rate mean (82%) for the positioning tasks compared to the collimation and centering tasks (53%). Overall, the model was well received by learners with increased confidence and a satisfactory learning experience in a clinical skill for exotics species. These findings suggest the avian radiography positioning model is an effective model to train students to position avian patients for radiography

Urografia excretora em cães e gatos. III. Patologias da cavidade abdominal

Empregou-se a urografia excretora em 256 cães e 21 gatos, clinicamente suspeitos de apresentarem patologias em órgãos abdominais, excetuando os do sistema urinário. Verificou-se que os aunentos de volume de fígado, baço, útero, próstata e as tumorações da cavidade abdominal, mostram-sedensificados pelo contraste à base de diatrizoato de sódio, sendo que as maiores freqüências de melhores evidenciações destas alterações, ocorreram após 15 minutos da injeção. Estas observações ampliaram consideravelmente as possibilidades diagnósticas.Excretory urography was performed in 256 dogs and 21 cats clinically suspectes of having abdominal disorders, except for the urinary system.The enlargements of the liver, spleen, uterus, prostate gland as well as the presence of intrabdominal masses appear with an increased radiographic density due to the sodiun diatrizoate contrast mediun. The best visualizations of these alterations were found in a higher frequency after 15 ninutes following the injection of the contrast mediun. These findings considerably widened the diagnostic possibilities

Third carpal bone sclerosis

The aims of this thesis were to evaluate the DPr-DDiO projection for the assessment of sclerosis and to study the relationships between altered third carpal bone (C3) radiopacity and previous exercise, previous carpal lameness, clinical appearance, and prognosis for future performance. Effects of positioning on radiographic appearance and depth of evaluated C3 were investigated in frozen specimens under beam-cassette angles of 15" to 45". Beam-cassette angles near 40" produced maximal depth of evaluated C3 but grading of sclerosis appeared insensitive to variations in beam-cassette angle in the range 25"-40". A comparison between grading of sclerosis and histomorphometrical bone density estimations in specimens from Standardbred trotters showed a higher bone volume density in subchondral compared to central cancellous bone. Mild sclerosis indicated that the subchondral cancellous bone had reached its maximal density while increasing sclerosis only reflected a further density-increase in central cancellous bone. The association between altered C3 radiopacity and degree of lameness and prognosis for racing was evaluated in a retrospective study of 89 Standardbred trotters diagnosed with traumatic carpitis. No significant relationships between degree of sclerosis and lameness or prognosis for racing within 30 months were found. However, radiolucencies ≥2 mm were found to significantly influence degree of lameness at presentation and time to start but did not affect chances of racing within 30 months. Factors affecting development of increased C3 radiopacity were evaluated in a longitudinal study of 14 Standardbred trotters in professional training, between the mean ages of 20 and 42 months. Carpal lameness was significantly associated with progression of sclerosis although in most cases, sclerosis developed irrespective of carpal lameness. No significant associations were found between grade of sclerosis and previous carpal lameness or between grade of sclerosis and level of performance, classified as training, qualified for racing and actively racing. Sclerosis appears to be of limited value as an indicator of clinical carpal disease or level of performance in Standardbred trotters while radiolucencies are clinically significant findings warranting further research

Mielografia em cães sadios com o meio de contraste ioversol 240 mg I/ml: Resultados clínicos e radiológicos

This study aimed to assess the opacification period and diagnostic quality of ioversol 240 mg I/ml in the thoracic and lumbar regions after intracisternally injected, and evaluate its effects on the nervous system by clinical and neurological examinations. Thirty clinically normal non-descript dogs without sex distinction, weighing 9-12 kg were divided into three groups of 10 animals each. All the animals were anaesthetized using diazepam and thiopental sodium. Ioversol was injected at a dose of 0.5ml/kg. Cervical radiographs after 5 minutes to confirm injection of the contrast, and thoracolumbar radiographs after 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes to evaluate the opacification period were taken. Clinical and neurological examinations were performed daily until 7, 14 and 28 days for groups I, II and III respectively. Adverse reactions such as pedal movements, preconvulsive behavior, muscular spasms, apnea, dyspnea, and vomit anxiety were observed during the myelographic procedure only. Ioversol showed good radiopacity, diffusion and miscibility with the cerebrospinal fluid. Reduction of costs also was possible since it can be autoclaved. Opacification period with diagnostic value was of 60 minutes in 60% of thoracic radiographs and in 80% of lumbar radiographs. Ioversol showed low incidence of clinical and neurological alterations. It is concluded that ioversol 240 mg I/ml is appropriate and safe to be used for myelography in dogs.Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o período de opacificação e a qualidade diagnóstica do ioversol 240 mg I/ml, nas regiões torácica e lombar após sua injeção na cisterna magna, e verificar seus efeitos sobre o sistema nervoso por meio de observações clínicas e neurológicas. Utilizaram-se 30 cães sadios, sem distinção de sexo ou raça, com peso entre 9 e 12 kg, divididos em três grupos de 10 animais cada. Nos animais anestesiados com diazepam e tiopental sódico, o ioversol foi injetado na dose de 0,5 ml/kg. Foram obtidas radiografias cervicais aos cinco minutos para confirmar a injeção do contraste e toracolombares aos 30, 40, 50 e 60 minutos para avaliar o período de opacificação. Exames clínicos e neurológicos foram realizados diariamente até os 7, 14 e 28 dias para os grupos I, II e III respectivamente. Efeitos adversos como movimentos de pedalagem, início de convulsão, espasmos musculares, apnéia, dispnéia e ânsia de vômito foram observados apenas durante o procedimento mielográfico. O ioversol apresentou boas radiopacidade, difusão e miscibilidade com o líquor, oferecendo também a possibilidade de redução de custos, já que pode ser autoclavado. O tempo de opacificação do contraste com valor diagnóstico atingiu 60 minutos em 60% das radiografias torácicas e em 80% das radiografias lombares. Havendo baixa incidência de alterações clínicas e neurológicas, e apropriadas qualidades radiográficas, concluiu-se que o ioversol na concentração de 240 mg I/ml é adequado e seguro para ser utilizado em mielografia de cães

Epiphyseal plate closure of radio-ulna bone in red Sokoto goat ecotype

This study was conducted with 57 Red Sokoto goats, which were randomly obtained from three different small ruminant farms with birth record within Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. They were classified into different age groups and subgroups, from 1-144 weeks. The radiographs of their forearms were taken and the proximal and distal epiphyseal plate lengths of both radius and ulna bones were measured. The radiographic images of the bones showed that the proximal and distal epiphyseal plates of the radius were opened at week 1 with mean lengths of 0.50±0.05mm and 1.10±0.01mm respectively but fuses at week 8 and 36 respectively. The proximal ulna epiphyseal plate was opened at week 1, with mean length of 1.67±0.02mm and fused at week 144. However, the distal ulna epiphyses appeared radiolucent at week 1 and 2 and became radiopaque at week 3 with an epiphyseal plate mean length of 3.67±0.26mm which reduced chronologically and fused at 96 week. It was therefore concluded that in Red Sokoto goat, epiphyseal plate lengths decreases with increase in age and fuses at different age even within the same bone, and the epiphyseal plates of radius bones fuse earlier than the ulna bones.Keywords: Epiphyseal plate, Red Sokoto goat, Radiography, Radius, Uln

Calcification of intervertebral discs in the dachshund: a radiographic and histopathologic study of 20 dogs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of the study was to compare radiographic and histopathologic findings with regard to number and extent of calcified discs in the dachshund.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The intervertebral discs of 20 dachshunds were subjected to a radiographic and histopathologic examination. The dogs were selected randomly from clinical cases euthanased for reasons unrelated to research at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. Lateral radiographs were taken of the vertebral columns after removing them from the carcasses. The histopathologic examination included 5 μm thick sections in the transverse plane, stained with hematoxylin-eosin and von Kossa. Radiographs and histological sections were evaluated independently.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 148 (28.5%) calcified discs were identified at the radiographic and 230 (45.7%) at the histopathologic examination. Of 92 discs found to be calcified by histopathology, but not by radiography, the degree of calcification was evaluated as 'slight' in 84 (91.3%). All the intervertebral discs (n = 138) that were found to be calcified by radiography were also found to be calcified by histopathology.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A sensitivity of 0.6 and specificity of 1.0 for radiography was calculated when using histopathology as the gold standard.</p

Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies

A systematic search of the research literature from 1996 through July 2008 identified more than a thousand empirical studies of online learning. Analysts screened these studies to find those that (a) contrasted an online to a face-to-face condition, (b) measured student learning outcomes, (c) used a rigorous research design, and (d) provided adequate information to calculate an effect size. As a result of this screening, 51 independent effects were identified that could be subjected to meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found that, on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction. The difference between student outcomes for online and face-to-face classes—measured as the difference between treatment and control means, divided by the pooled standard deviation—was larger in those studies contrasting conditions that blended elements of online and face-to-face instruction with conditions taught entirely face-to-face. Analysts noted that these blended conditions often included additional learning time and instructional elements not received by students in control conditions. This finding suggests that the positive effects associated with blended learning should not be attributed to the media, per se. An unexpected finding was the small number of rigorous published studies contrasting online and face-to-face learning conditions for K–12 students. In light of this small corpus, caution is required in generalizing to the K–12 population because the results are derived for the most part from studies in other settings (e.g., medical training, higher education)

Public Health Rep

13465953PMCnul