The diagnostic value of intravenous contrast computed tomography in addition to plain computed tomography in dogs with head trauma

Background The aim of this study is to evaluate additional findings which can be detected by post-contrast computed tomography (CCT) in relation to plain CT (PCT) findings in patients presented with head trauma. Medical records of canine patients with the history of head trauma from three institutions were reviewed. PCT- and CCT-anonymized images were evaluated by a veterinary radiologist separately. From the categorized findings the following conclusions were drawn as: abnormalities were identified on (A) PCT but missed on CCT, (B) CCT but missed on PCT, (C) both PCT and CCT.ResultsThirty-two patients were included. The results showed that findings identified on CCT or PCT (category A and B) but missed on the other series were limited to mild soft tissue and sinus changes. Overall, 61 different fracture areas, 6 injuries of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), 4 orbital injuries, 14 nasal cavities with soft tissue density filling, 13 areas of emphysema, 4 symphysis separations, 12 intracranial hemorrhages, 6 cerebral edema, 5 cerebral midline shifts, 3 intracranial aeroceles, 3 brain herniations and 6 intraparenchymal foreign bodies (defined as an abnormal structure located within the brain: e.g. bony fragments, bullet, teeth,..) were identified on both PCT and CCT separately (category C). Severity grading was different in 50% (3/6) of the reported cerebral edema using PCT and CCT images.ConclusionThe results showed that PCT is valuable to identify the presence of intracranial traumatic injuries and CCT is not always essential to evaluate vital traumatic changes

Feasiability of Using Evidence-Based Virtopsy to Answer the Possible Clinical and Post-Mortem Questions, in Veterinary Practice

A post-mortem examination is an important part of evidence-based medicine to understand the deterioration of clinical signs or causes of death in euthanized or deceased individual animals or even populations. Post-mortem analysis is aimed at improving clinical treatment and therapy, confirming a suspected diagnosis, man-aging breeding strategies, and clarifying the forensic cases (e.g., neglect or animal abuse). In analogy to virtopsy in human medicine, diagnostic imaging modalities have been applied in post-mortem veterinary medicine, which we call vetvirtopsy. We hypothesize that vetvirtopsy can be used as a method to answer certain clinical/post-mortem questions to im-prove the diagnosis reliability. In some questions, vetvirtopsy actually can replace conventional necropsy. This overview study aims to compare vetvirtopsy with conventional necropsy for variable causes of death in animals and to define its possibilities and limitations. Deceased or euthanized pets and wild animals were collected. The imaging techniques, such as post-mortem digital radiography, post-mortem ultrasound, post-mortem computed tomography, and post-mortem magnetic resonance tomography combined with image-guided tissue sampling, were used to address the open questions about clinical symptoms or causes of their death. The case series in this project showed that diagnostic imaging techniques are feasible in answering distinct ante-mortem and post-mortem clinical and forensic questions. However, there is an interdisciplinary collaboration between diagnostic imaging and sampling under imaging guidance

Radiologic features of radiolucent foreign bodies ingestion in common mynah (Acridotheres tristis).

BACKGROUND In mynahs with foreign body ingestion, delayed diagnosis increases the risk of poor outcomes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate various radiologic features on plain and contrast radiographs in mynahs for assessing the presence of ingested foreign bodies. METHODS In our cross-sectional study, a total of 41 mynahs were included. The diagnosis was made by history, surgery, excision by forceps or excretion in the faeces. Overall, 21 mynahs were considered not to have a foreign body in their gastrointestinal tract. Plain and post-contrast [oral administration of barium sulphate colloidal suspension of 25% weight/volume (20 mg/kg)] lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs from the cervical and coelomic cavity were taken. Different parameters including oesophageal, proventricular, and small intestinal diameters and opacities were assessed. Image evaluation was performed by two national board-certified radiologists blinded to the final diagnoses. RESULTS The inter- and intra-observer reliabilities of the diagnostic features were significant (p < 0.001). The diagnosis of the foreign body was highly accurate [90.2% (95% CI: 76.9%, 92.3%)] with the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the representative characteristic curve of 90.0%, 90.5%, and 0.93%, respectively for plain radiographs. The size and opacity of the oesophagus, proventriculus, and intestinal loops as well as serosal details were significantly different between mynahs with and without foreign body intake (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Lateral and ventrodorsal plain radiographs are highly reliable for diagnosing the presence of non-opaque obstructing objects in the gastrointestinal tract of mynahs. Attention should be paid to the size and opacity of the oesophagus, extension, and opacity of the proventriculus, segmental opacity of intestinal loops, and decrease in serosal details

Bone Tissue Response to Plasma Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coatings: An In Vivo Study on Rabbit Femoral Condyles

In this study, hydroxyapatite was coated on titanium substrates by plasma spraying process. A well-known porous and lamellar microstructure was found in the lateral and outer surface of coating. The phase composition was studied by XRD and the morphological and the microstructural aspects were investigated by scanning electron and optical microscopy. The hardness of coatings and substrates was measured by Vickers indentation method. For in vivo study, rabbit condyles were exposed to two groups of coated and uncoated samples. Radiographyically, different parameters such as bone lysis, sclerosis, displacement of samples and bone resorption were taken into consideration and no statistically differences between the two groups, with no sign of infection on the edges of each hole were found. Histopathological interpretation of all coated samples indicated that the extent of callus and thickness of speculae were quite distinct from that of uncoated group. In this group, the space between implant and canal was filled up with matured connective tissues and plenty of bone speculae of woven bone in nature. However, these speculaes were thinner and immature as compared to coated samples

Bone Tissue Response to Plasma Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coatings: An In Vivo Study on Rabbit Femoral Condyles

In this study, hydroxyapatite was coated on titanium substrates by plasma spraying process. A well-known porous and lamellar microstructure was found in the lateral and outer surface of coating. The phase composition was studied by XRD and the morphological and the microstructural aspects were investigated by scanning electron and optical microscopy. The hardness of coatings and substrates was measured by Vickers indentation method. For in vivo study, rabbit condyles were exposed to two groups of coated and uncoated samples. Radiographyically, different parameters such as bone lysis, sclerosis, displacement of samples and bone resorption were taken into consideration and no statistically differences between the two groups, with no sign of infection on the edges of each hole were found. Histopathological interpretation of all coated samples indicated that the extent of callus and thickness of speculae were quite distinct from that of uncoated group. In this group, the space between implant and canal was filled up with matured connective tissues and plenty of bone speculae of woven bone in nature. However, these speculaes were thinner and immature as compared to coated samples

Efficacy of Polypropylene Mesh Coated with Bioresorbable Membrane (Sepramesh) for the Repair of Abdominal Wall Defects in Horses

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the use of Polypropylene mesh (Prolene) and Sepramesh, a coated Polypropylene mesh with a protective layer of Seprafilm on its visceral side, for the repair of abdominal wall defects in horses. We also aimed to quantify the consequent visceral adhesion and tissue inflammation. Study Design: Experimental study. Animal Population: Ten horses. Methods: The horses were divided into the control group, where a 4×8 cm defect was created through the midline of the abdomen and repaired with polypropylene mesh, and the experimental group, where the same defect was made and closed sepramesh. Both meshes were placed intraperitoneally and sutured to the cut margins of peritoneum and the opponeurosis of external abdominal oblique muscle contacting in viscera in a tensionfree technique. Results: The severity and extent of adhesions were significantly lower in the experimental group (B) than the control group (A) (P&lt;0.05). Horses that received a * Corresponding author: 46 Polypropylene mesh experienced higher levels of inflammation, both on the day of operation and at two weeks, but significant differences were not apparent after 4 weeks. Conclusions: This study confirmed the advantages of Sepramesh over Polypropylene mesh in the repair of abdominal wall defects in horses. Clinical Relevance: There are many causes of abdominal wall defects in horses, including congenital and traumatic. This experiment suggests that the use of Sepramesh could strengthen the healing of abdominal wounds, prevent incisional hernias, and reduce intraabdominal adhesions

Effect of dietary calcium deficiency on the cardiac function of broiler chickens based on electro- and echocardiography

To determine the effects of dietary calcium deficiency on the heart function of broiler chickens based on electro- and echocardiography, chicks were reared for 42 days and fed rations with different amounts of calcium. At 28 and 42 days of age, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters were assessed. There were significant reductions of R wave amplitude (leads II and aVR) in the Ca-deficient group II at 42 day of age as compared to the control. S wave amplitudes were decreased in most leads but the decrease was significant (P < 0.05) only at 28 days (lead aVL, Ca-deficient group I) and 42 days (leads III, aVR, aVF, Ca-deficient groups I and II). T wave amplitudes were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased at 42 days (leads II, aVR and aVF) in the Ca-deficient group II compared to the control group. Variations in QT, ST and RR intervals were insignificant in the Ca-deficient groups compared with the control. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in left ventricular diameter at end-systole and a reduction of left ventricular fractional shortening in the Ca-deficient group II at 28 and 42 days as compared to the controls. Right ventricular fractional shortening was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased only in the Ca-deficient group II at 42 days of age. These results suggest that dose-dependent dietary calcium deficiency alters variations in electro- and echocardiographic parameters which could reflect decreased cardiac function in growing broiler chickens

Effect of Calcium Phosphate Bone Cement and Type I Collagen Mixture on Healing of Segmental Bone Defect in Rabbit Radius

Abstract: Osteogenesis is one the essential elements of bone regeneration along with the final binding between host bone and grafting material. Collagen type I (Col) is one of the most widely used bonefilling biomaterial in present bone tissue engineering. Calcium phosphate bone cements (CPC) have gained importance in orthopaedics as repair materials for bone defects. A combination of Col/CPC mixture would probably create a composite with both osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the combination of collagen type I and calcium phosphate bone cement mixture on healing of rabbit radius segmental defects. 54 adult male New Zealand white rabbits were used. A segmental bone defect of 10 mm in length was created in the middle of the right radius shaft. The defects were stabilized with miniplate in control group and CPC was used to fill the bone defect in group II and a mixture of CPC/Col was used to fill the bone defect in group III. The animal was evaluated clinically and radiologically in the postoperative period. Rabbits were sacrificed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery and evaluated histopathologically. Differences observed in radiological findings were not significant between groups but differences observed in histopathological findings were significant between group 3 and groups 1 and 2 and also was significant between group 2 and group 1. The results of this study show that the mixture of collagen type I and calcium phosphate bone cement is a good choice for the healing of segmental bone defects, and provides a more rapid regeneration of bone defects

Bone Tissue Response to Plasma Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coatings: An In Vivo Study on Rabbit Femoral Condyles: Bone tissue response to hydroxyapatite-coated Ti-6Al-4V substrates

In this study, hydroxyapatite was coated on titanium substrates by plasma spraying process. A well-known porous and lamellar microstructure was found in the lateral and outer surface of coating. The phase composition was studied by XRD and the morphological and the microstructural aspects were investigated by scanning electron and optical microscopy. The hardness of coatings and substrates was measured by Vickers indentation method. For in vivo study, rabbit condyles were exposed to two groups of coated and uncoated samples. Radiographyically, different parameters such as bone lysis, sclerosis, displacement of samples and bone resorption were taken into consideration and no statistically differences between the two groups, with no sign of infection on the edges of each hole were found. Histopathological interpretation of all coated samples indicated that the extent of callus and thickness of speculae were quite distinct from that of uncoated group. In this group, the space between implant and canal was filled up with matured connective tissues and plenty of bone speculae of woven bone in nature. However, these speculaes were thinner and immature as compared to coated samples

CT anatomy and normal radiography of the skull of the Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

Abstract Background Considering the relationship between human morphology and physiology with the Rhesus monkey, this animal is the most prominent species of laboratory primate for human and animal health research. Moreover, sending Macaca mulatta monkey into space and simulating a living environment for humans shows the similarity of this animal's physiology with humans. Objective So far, no comprehensive study has been done on computed tomography (CT) scan and radiography of skulls in Rhesus monkeys. Therefore, providing accurate documents from the CT anatomy of the skull in these animals can help us to better understand normal conditions and diseases, and we can use a functional atlas of diagnostic imaging from the skull of this animal. Methods Ten mature monkeys weighing 6.5 kg were used for this project (five males and five females). A radiographic examination with standard views was performed during general anaesthesia. Then the monkeys were placed in a spherical CT scan during general anaesthesia with standard sternal recumbency. Results The frontal bone was seen as two parallel radiopaque lines coming forward and downward. The frontal sinus in the Rhesus monkey was not visible in both lateral and dorsoventral radiographs, which could indicate the degeneration of this sinus in this species. The number of teeth in an adult monkey was 32. Molar teeth had a bilophodont arrangement. Conclusions The comparison between the size of the eye ball in human and Rhesus monkey, unlike other measured parameters, did not differ much, and this indicates that the volume ratio of the eye ball to the whole skull in Rhesus monkey is higher than that of humans