Morphological and morphometric analyses of the suspensory ligament in Standardbreds

Poster (2012, October)

Ultrasound techniques allow examination of some parts of the suspensory ligament (SL) but "anomalies" are regularly observed. Their significance is not known. Few studies have described the relationship ... [more ▼]

Ultrasound techniques allow examination of some parts of the suspensory ligament (SL) but "anomalies" are regularly observed. Their significance is not known. Few studies have described the relationship between ultrasonographic appearance and the exact morphology in histological sections. The aim of this study is to develop good techniques for cutting, staining, and showing the variation in the tissue composition within the SL. The SLs from the right limbs of 11 horses were collected. Samples were taken from cross-sections at six levels of the SL and they were embedded in paraffin or in Tissue-Tek®. Most of the paraffin sections were shredded. By using the cryosection technique, some freezing artifacts (holes) appeared. Therefore, a technique of freezing with cryoprotection was carried out, which produced the best results. Hematoxylin-phloxine-saffron gives a good contrast of colors between the tissues observed allowing the use of an image analysis program. The percentage of each tissue within the SL for each section and for six levels of the ligament was calculated. Results were analyzed by SAS software. The muscle tissue (PMT) and adipose tissue (PAT) decreased significantly (p < 0.0001), whereas the connective tissue (PCT) increased significantly (p < 0.0001) with age and when descending from the proximal to the distal level of the SL. The PMT was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in females than males, while the PCT was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in males than females. The PAT was significantly higher (p = 0.0278) in hindlimbs than in forelimbs. [less ▲]

IMAGING FINDINGS IN HORSES WITH PHARYNGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Poster (2012)

Introduction Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been occasionally reported in the equine pharyngeal region1-3. The aim of this poster is to describe imaging findings in 4 cases of pharyngeal SCC. Material ... [more ▼]

Introduction Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been occasionally reported in the equine pharyngeal region1-3. The aim of this poster is to describe imaging findings in 4 cases of pharyngeal SCC. Material and methods Four old horses, mean age 19.5, 2 females and 2 geldings, were referred for dyspnea (3/4) and/or dysphagia (3/4). Because of dyspnea radiographs were realized prior to endoscopy. Ultrasound (US) was performed in all cases by ventral and lateral approach using a linear 7,5MHz transducer. A post-mortem computed tomography (CT) of the head was performed in one case (16 slices CT, Somatom 16, Siemens). Results Radiographic opacity of the pharyngeal region was increased in all cases. A soft tissue mass was also visible in the caudal maxillary sinus in 1 horse. The epiglottis was either not recognized or difficult to see with an abnormal shape. Pharyngoepiglottic distance and nasopharyngeal diameter were reduced in all cases. The soft palate was either thick or impossible to be outlined, with an irregular surface. In 1 case it was dorsally displaced. The dorsal pharyngeal wall looked unevenly thickened or impossible to be outlined ventrally due to border effacement. No bony damage was identified on radiographs. A hypoechoic heterogeneous mass was visualized at US in 2 cases and an enlargement of the mandibular lymph nodes was observed in 3 cases. Lymphnodes had also heterogeneous echogenicity and increased doppler signal in 1 case. Oral and pharyngeal endoscopic examination confirmed a pharyngeal mass in 2 cases but was unsuccessful or incomplete because of passage impairment in 2. CT revealed maxillary bone lysis in the horse with a mass in the maxillary sinus. Histopathological examination of local biopsies or necropsy revealed pharyngeal SCC invading epiglottis, pharyngeal wall and soft palate in the 4 horses and the maxillary sinus in one. Discussion/Conclusion Because endoscopy can be impaired by the size of the mass, radiology is helpful in estimating the extent and invasiveness of the process and US to confirm lymphadenopathy. However because of its relatively low sensitivity and the local increased opacity, radiographic examination may underestimate bone lysis. [less ▲]

The diagnostic value of equine rectal and duodenal biopsies.

in Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (2012), 26(2), 430-431

Investigation of the best suture pattern to close a stuffed Christmas turkey

in Veterinary Record : Journal of the British Veterinary Association (2011), 169(26), 685-686

Impact of successive freezing-thawing cycles on 3-T magnetic resonance images of the digits of isolated equine limbs

in American Journal of Veterinary Research (2011), 72(6), 780-790

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of freezing and thawing on MR images of equine feet examined ex vivo. Nine equine cadaver digits were first imaged at room temperature (T0). Among the 9 ... [more ▼]

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of freezing and thawing on MR images of equine feet examined ex vivo. Nine equine cadaver digits were first imaged at room temperature (T0). Among the 9 digits, 3 (group 1) were imaged in a 3 Tesla MR system after one and after 2 freezing-thawing cycles. Digits of group 1 were thawed in a cold room at 4°C for 36h. Three other digits (group 2) were imaged after one freezing-thawing cycle. Digits of group 2 were thawed in a cold room at 4°C and then rescanned after 24h at room temperature. The last 3 digits (group 3) were scanned after one freezing-thawing cycle. Digits of group 3 were thawed at room temperature for 24h. Sequences used were Spin Echo (SE) T1, Turbo Spin Echo (TSE) T2 and proton density (PD), Short Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR), Double Echo Steady State (DESS), 3D Gradient Echo (GE) T1 and 2D GE T2*. Images obtained on the fresh limbs at room temperature were subjectively compared side by side to images obtained at the different freezing-thawing cycles. A quantitative analysis to assess signal change between examinations was realized by measuring signal to noise ratio (SNR). Visibility and margination of the anatomical structures of the foot and overall image quality were subjectively considered unchanged except for the hoof where the lamina was considered less visible distally after freezing and thawing in the GE T2* and in TSE T2 and PD sequences. Quantitative analysis demonstrated SNR changes in the bone marrow only in the distal phalanx in the SE T1 sequence when the feet were thawed at room temperature. When the feet were thawed in a cold room at 4°C, bone marrow SNR changes were present in the SE T1, GE T1 and TSE PD sequences. Signal changes were significant in the synovial recess when the thawing process was made at 4°C and not when the thawing process was at ambient temperature. The soft tissue structures and the hoof capsule showed significant changes with an increase of SNR, except in STIR, after freezing and thawing at 4°C and at room temperature. SNR changes in the soft tissues were mainly present in GE sequences. [less ▲]

Mettalic foreign body in a horse: case report

Poster (2011, January 22)

Ultrasonographic findings in horses with foot pain but without radiographically detectable osseus abnormalities

in Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound (2011), 52(1), 95-102

Foot pain is an important cause of lameness in horses. When horses with foot pain have no detectable radiographic abnormalities, soft-tissue assessment remains a diagnostic challenge without magnetic ... [more ▼]

Foot pain is an important cause of lameness in horses. When horses with foot pain have no detectable radiographic abnormalities, soft-tissue assessment remains a diagnostic challenge without magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Ultrasonography can provide an alternative to MR imaging when that modality is not available but the extent of changes that might be seen has not been characterized. We reviewed the ultrasonographic findings in 39 horses with lameness responding positively to anesthesia of the palmar digital nerves and without radiographically detectable osseous abnormalities. Thirty of the 39 horses had lesions affecting the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), 27 had abnormalities in the distal interphalangeal joint of which six had a visible abnormality in the collateral ligament. Ultrasonographic abnormalities were seen in the podotrochlear bursa in 22 horses and in the ligaments of the navicular bone in two horses. Abnormalities of the navicular bone flexor surface were detected in eight horses. In three of the 39 horses, only the DDFT was affected. The other 36 horses had ultrasonographic abnormalities in more than one anatomical structure. Based on our results, ultrasonographic examination provides useful diagnostic information in horses without radiographic changes. [less ▲]

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF THE CISTERNA CHYLI IN THE DOG

Poster (2011)

Introduction/Aims The cisterna chyli (CC) is a dilated and bipartite portion of the lymphatic channels coursing intimately along the abdominal aorta in the retroperitoneal space.1 The appearance of the CC ... [more ▼]

Introduction/Aims The cisterna chyli (CC) is a dilated and bipartite portion of the lymphatic channels coursing intimately along the abdominal aorta in the retroperitoneal space.1 The appearance of the CC of the dog has been described on magnetic resonance imaging.2 The aim of this poster is to describe the ultrasonographic appearance of the CC in 2 dogs with chylous ascitis and in 2 healthy dogs. Methods Abdominal ultrasonography was realised with a 7.5MHz microconvex transducer. A right or left lateral dorsal approach was used. The aorta (together with the cranial mesenteric artery in normal dogs) was used as the main landmark to localize the CC. The dogs with chylous ascites were a 4 year old female american cocker spaniel, with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia and a 1 year old, spayed female whippet with recurrent pancreatitis. The 2 healthy dogs were a 7 year old Beagle and a 9 year old Jack Russell. The abdominal ultrasonography was realised within 2 hours after the meal in the healthy dogs. Results The CC was seen as a hypoechoic structure, without detectable flow, dorsal and to the right of the aorta. The CC was easily visible in the 2 dogs with chyloabdomen while it was more difficult to localize in the healthy dogs. The CC was tubular on the longitudinal images. On transverse images, the CC is elliptic or semilunar and may partially surround the aorta. The maximal width of the CC measured on transverse images varied from 2-3mm in the 2 healthy dogs to 4-8mm in the 2 dogs with chyloabdomen. In 3 patients some efferent/afferent lymphatic vessels were seen as thin hypoechoic tubes converging on the CC. Shape and size of the CC in the same animal were seen varying during the same ultrasonography or between different exams. Discussion/Conclusion The CC is visible by ultrasonography in dogs. Its visibility depends on different conditions like disease of the lymphatic system3, quality and distance of the meal. [less ▲]

Cas de pneumonie interstitielle référés à l’université de Liège

in Pratique Vétérinaire Equine (2011), 43(171), 1-10

La pneumonie interstitielle est une maladie rare chez le cheval adulte. Une étude rétrospective propose de revenir sur 9 cas référés entre 1998 et 2009.

Imaging the equine tendons

in Canifelis Hippos Proceedings 2011 (2011)