The Effect of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture on Range of Motion in Dogs

open3noRange of motion (ROM) is a measure often reported as an indicator of joint functionality. Both the angle of extension and that of flexion were measured in 234 stifle joints of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture. The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between CCL rupture and alterations in the range of stifle joint motion and to determine whether there was a prevalence modification of one of the two angles. All the extension and flexion angles were obtained from clinical records and were analysed in various combinations. A significant relationship was found between normal angles and abnormal angles; concerning the reduction in the ROM, a significant prevalence in the alteration extension angle was found. Of the 234 stifles, 33 (13.7%) were normal in both angles. These results could offer important insights regarding the influence of CCL rupture on compromising the ROM. This awareness could be a baseline for understanding the ability of surgical treatment to restore one angle rather than another angle, to address the choice of treatment and to help physiotherapists in their rehabilitation program.openPinna, Stefania; Lanzi, Francesco; Tassani, ChiaraPinna, Stefania; Lanzi, Francesco; Tassani, Chiar

Intra-articular replacement of a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament using the Mini-TightRope in the dog: a preliminary study

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Case report: Sublingual mucinosis in a dog

Oral focal mucinosis (OFM) is a rare clinic-pathological condition histologically similar to focal skin mucinosis and thus, OFM is considered as the oral counterpart of cutaneous focal mucinosis (1, 2). Cutaneous mucinosis refers to an excessive deposition of mucinous substance in the dermis that clinically manifests as a thickening of the skin or as a vesicular appearance (3, 4). A generalized cutaneous mucinosis, of likely genetic origin, occurs primarily in Shar-pei dogs, giving them its characteristic appearance (5). In other breeds, severe mucinosis is associated with secondary diseases such as intertrigo, bacterial infections and entropion, all of which can lead to severe deterioration in the health of the animal (6). In human, OFM was first described and named by Tomich in 1974 (1). Its pathogenesis is still unclear, but an increased production of hyaluronic acid (HA) by fibroblasts in expense of collagen production and myxoid degeneration is suggested (7, 8). Clinically, oral lesions often present as a small (<1 cm) submucosal, single, pink, and slow-growing asymptomatic nodule containing gelatinous material (8, 9). The gingiva and palate are the most affected sites (9, 10). OFM has already been reported in literature in a dog as a nodular lesion on the buccal mucosa (11). This is the first case described with this type of presentation

Treatment of Medial Instability of the Carpometacarpal and Tarsometatarsal Joints Using the Isolock^® System in Two Dogs

This case report describes a novel procedure using the Isolock Intrauma® implant system for treating medial instability of the carpometacarpal and tarsometatarsal joints, as demonstrated in in two dogs. A 9-year-old spayed female Spanish greyhound presented with a non-weight-bearing right hindlimb following a trauma. The clinical and radiological findings confirmed medial tarsometatarsal instability consistent with valgus deviation of the tarsus and the opening of the joint line on the medial aspect from the first to the third tarsometatarsal joints. A 4-year-old female Drahthaar presented with a non-weight-bearing left forelimb, swelling of the carpus and valgus instability. Radiological examination revealed a widening of the spaces between the intermedioradial carpal bone, second carpal bone and metacarpal bone II, confirming the medial carpometacarpal instability. In both cases, the Isolock system, an implant including ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene suture (UHMWPE), was used to reinforce the medial joint structures. Minor short-term complications were observed, such as swelling of the tarsal surgical site and hyperextension of the carpus, but these resolved spontaneously. No lameness or major complications were reported five months postoperatively. Carpometacarpal and tarsometatarsal instabilities are rare diseases in dogs as compared to subluxations of the other joints of the carpus and tarsus. There are no previous reports regarding the use of a UHMPWE implant for the treatment of these rare joint injuries, though the present case report suggests the validity and efficacy of the Isolock Intrauma® implant for restoring carpal and tarsal stability and preserving joint mobility

Prevalence of Primary Radiographic Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Hip dysplasia is a disabling orthopedic disease in dogs. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the morphological aspects and radiographic changes in the development of hip dysplasia in adult dogs, and to describe the frequency of each radiographic parameter according to each Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) grade. Brass descriptive forms for the evaluation of hip dysplasia were obtained from the archive of the Italian Fondazione Salute Animale, and the radiographic evaluation of 642 hips were processed. Sixteen radiographic criteria were assessed, divided into six main parameters: acetabulum, femoral head and its position in the acetabulum, femoral neck, joint space, and Norberg angle. The initial mild alterations were shown in the craniolateral acetabular rim (31.8%), slightly divergent in the joint space in 58.6% of FCI-A. The spherical shape of the femoral head was mildly small/flattened in 56.9% of FCI-B, in addition to a slightly cylindrical-shaped femoral neck (60.5%) and slightly lost contours (55.0%). Changes in acetabular depth (45.0%), and in the cranial acetabular margin (56.7%) were found in FCI-C. The center of the femoral head was lateral to the dorsal acetabular rim in 70.0% of FCI-B; the Norberg angle appeared normal in 70.6% of FCI-B. Elaboration of the radiographic criteria from the Brass descriptive forms allowed for the extrapolation of accurate knowledge regarding morphologic changes in the development of dysplasia by providing detailed information for each individual. In particular, the present survey showed that the morphological alterations of the acetabulum prevailed over those of the femoral head only at the beginning of the development of canine hip dysplasia, and then worsened after the changes occurred in the femoral head and neck

An estimation of the number of cells in the human body

Background: All living organisms are made of individual and identifiable cells, whose number, together with their size and type, ultimately defines the structure and functions of an organism. While the total cell number of lower organisms is often known, it has not yet been defined in higher organisms. In particular, the reported total cell number of a human being ranges between 1012 and 1016 and it is widely mentioned without a proper reference. Aim: To study and discuss the theoretical issue of the total number of cells that compose the standard human adult organism. Subjects and methods: A systematic calculation of the total cell number of the whole human body and of the single organs was carried out using bibliographical and/or mathematical approaches. Results: A current estimation of human total cell number calculated for a variety of organs and cell types is presented. These partial data correspond to a total number of 3.72 7 1013. Conclusions: Knowing the total cell number of the human body as well as of individual organs is important from a cultural, biological, medical and comparative modelling point of view. The presented cell count could be a starting point for a common effort to complete the total calculation