D.D. Zani

Topographic comparative study of paranasal sinuses in adult horses by computed tomography, sinuscopy, and sectional anatomy

Clinical and radiographic investigations of paranasal sinuses in horses are difficult due to the complex anatomy of these regions, the lack of patognomonic symptoms, and the low sensitivity of conventional diagnostic techniques. The aim of this study was to produce an anatomical atlas to support computed tomography (CT) and sinuscopy of the paranasal sinuses of the adult horse. Transverse, sagittal, and dorsal CT images were acquired, and sinuscopy with both rigid and flexible endoscopes was performed. The heads were frozen and sectioned using a band saw, with the cuts aligned as close as possible with the CT transverse slices. Each CT image was compared with its corresponding anatomical section and sinuscopy image to assist in the accurate identification of specific structures.

Use of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of bone marrow edema in the equine distal limb: six cases.

Use of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of bone marrow edema in the equine distal limb: six cases D. D. Zani & D. De Zani & M. Biggi & M. Scandella & O. Travetti & M. Di Giancamillo Published online: 4 July 2009 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009

Tenoscopy of the navicular bursa: a new therapeutic approach for horses affected by palmar pain syndrome. Endoscopic technique review and personal experiences

Tenoscopy of the navicular bursa has been recently introduced as a diagnostic and therapeutic treatment in cases of palmar foot pain syndrome. A deep digital flexor tendon transthecal approach was suggested in 1999, and the endoscopic technique has been reviewed. Smith and coworkers have recently reported good and promising results. An anatomic cadaver limb study was performed, and the endoscopic technique was evaluated. Subsequently, a 14-year-old Argentine mare, affected by palmar foot pain syndrome, was treated. Clinical data, MRI and endoscopic findings, and a 6-month follow-up evaluation are reported.

A rare case of pituitary chromophobe carcinoma in a dog: Clinical, tomographic and histopathological findings

A 9 year old male mixed-breed dog was presented for progressive aggressiveness towards the owner. The neurological evaluation was consistent with a forebrain syndrome. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed enlargement of the third ventricle and presence of a large spheroidal neoplasm in the sellar/parasellar region suggestive of a pituitary macroadenoma. On the owner request, the dog was euthanized. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of a pituitary chromophobe carcinoma. To the author’s knowledge, pituitary carcinomas have been rarely described in dogs, especially the chromophobe subtype.

Intradural-extramedullary haemangioblastoma with paraspinal extension in a dog

CASE REPORT An 8-year-old spayed female cross-breed dog was evaluated following a 2-month history of thoracic limb weakness. Neurological examination revealed a spinal cord lesion between C1 and C5 segments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that almost 70% of the spinal canal between C1 and C2 was occupied by an intradural extramedullary mass that was connected to a paraspinal mass from the cranial aspect of C2 to the cranial aspect of C3. The dog was anaesthetised and a dorsal, right-sided hemilaminectomy was performed. A durotomy was performed to expose a multilobular mass located principally along the right dorsal-lateral aspect of the spinal cord. The mass did not appear to infiltrate the cord parenchyma. The abnormal tissue was removed as completely as possible using gentle dissection and submitted for histological evaluation. The histological findings were consistent with an intradural-extramedullary haemangioblastoma with paraspinal extension. Following surgery, no neurological deterioration was detected. A metronomic-dosing chemotherapy protocol was administered to prevent progression or recurrence of the tumour. Follow-up MRI studies were performed 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery, confirming complete tumour removal and the absence of recurrence. CONCLUSION Haemangioblastoma is an extremely rare neoplasm in animals and only two cases of this tumour have been reported, but in other anatomical locations. Haemangioblastomas in human patients are more commonly located in the cerebellum and intradural-extramedullary growth is extremely rare. The dog in this study responded favourably to combined surgery and metronomic chemotherapy and was clinically normal 1 year after surgery.

Contracted Foal Syndrome Associated with Multiple Malformations in Two Foals

Congenital anomalies in horses are very rare, and contracted foal syndrome is one of the most commonly reported. This malformation is characterized by contraction of the joints of the forelimbs and/or hindlimbs. In addition, the syndrome can be characterized by vertebral column malformations, such as scoliosis or torticollis, and cranial deformity. The present report describes the radiological and necroscopical findings of multiple rare malformations in two foals. Both foals showed skeletal abnormalities and fenestration of the abdominal cavity. Other pathological findings include a interventricular septal defect in one and a unilateral hydronephrosis and partial hydroureter in the other foal. Although in this report a specific aetiology could not be provided, insecticides treatment provided during the second month of pregnancy might play a role in the pathogenesis of these malformations.

Segmental Spinal Cord Hypoplasia in a Holstein Friesian Calf

An 8‐day‐old female Holstein Friesian calf was examined because of congenital spastic paresis of the hind limbs. Myelography revealed deviation and thinning of subarachnoid contrast medium columns in the lumbar segment. Upon magnetic resonance imaging, the ‘hour‐glass’ subdural compression appeared as a T1‐hypointense, T2‐hyperintense ovoidal area suggestive of cerebral spinal fluid collection, compatible with hydrosyringomyelia. The calf was euthanized and the necropsy confirmed the diagnosis of segmental spinal cord hypoplasia of the lumbar tract associated to hydromyelic and syringomyelic cavities.

Correlation of radiographic measurements of structures of the equine foot with lesions detected on magnetic resonance imaging

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY There are few studies on the correlations between radiographic measurements of the foot and abnormalities of specific structures found with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). OBJECTIVES To document the relationship between radiographic measurements of the equine foot and the presence of lesions in the foot on MRI. We hypothesised that different radiographic measurements would be associated with specific lesions detected by MRI. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis of radiographs and MRI studies. METHODS Seventy-four feet from 52 lame horses were included. Twenty parameters were measured on radiographs, whereas the signal intensity, homogeneity and size of each structure in the foot were evaluated on magnetic resonance images. The data were analysed using simple linear correlation analysis and classification and regression trees (CARTs). RESULTS Linear correlations were found between the navicular bone compacta thickness and injuries of the deep digital flexor tendon, collateral sesamoidean ligament, navicular spongiosa and navicular bone proximal border. Long-toed horses had a high incidence of lesions involving the spongiosa and proximal border of the navicular bone. Elongation of the navicular bone was associated with proximal and distal border injuries. A reduced palmar angle and increased angle between the middle and distal phalanx were observed in horses with alterations of collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint and navicular bone spongiosa, respectively. For each structure under investigation, CARTs predicting the presence of MRI pathology based on radiographic measurements had excellent performance, with >80% correct classification of cases, when using one of 3 data sources. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated a relationship between radiographic measurements of the foot and the presence of lesions detected on MRI, while CARTs illustrated that different radiographic measurements were associated with different MRI lesions.

Planar Lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel lymph node mapping in dogs with mast cell tumor: a pilot study.

The histopathological assessment of the first node receiving lymphatic drainage from a tumor – defined as Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) – is essential to determine stage, therapy and outcome in oncological patients. Both in human and veterinary medicine, lymphoscintigraphy is a recognized procedure for SLN detection (Mariani et al. , 2004; Tuohy et al ., 2009; Beer et al ., 2017). In this study, we want to determine the most suitable pre-operative planar lymphoscintigraphy protocol for SLN mapping in dogs with mast cell tumor (MCT). We selected 5 dogs diagnosed with cutaneous MTC, with clinically negative lymph nodes and no distant metastasis, undergoing surgical tumor removal, and we obtained owner’s written consent. Planar lymphoscintigraphy was performed in patients under general anesthesia, after subcutaneous peritumoral injection of different doses of technetium-99m (Tc-99m) labelled colloid diluted reaching a 0.5 ml volume (Worley, 2014). The MegaBecquerel value (MBq) of the syringe was measured before and after the injection. Dynamic images (1 frame/second for 60 seconds) were taken at the moment of the injection, 3 and 8 minutes after the injection. Ventrodorsal (VD) and lateral (L) static images (120 seconds/frame) were taken until the identification of SLN had been made. If needed, the injection site was masked with a 2-mm lead foil. Results are showed in Table 1. In patient 1, the SLN was not identify, probably due to a superimposition with the injection site. During the study, we increased the injected MBq dose, in order to better visualize lymphatic path and SLN (Balogh et al. , 2002). In fact, the number of static images needed to identify SLN have been reduced from 8,7 to 6. Masking the injection site proved to be useful for a better visualization of SLN. Dynamic images showed to be unnecessary for the SLN identification. For further studies, we suggest the injection of minimum 23,5 MBq Tc-99m activity and the acquisition of VD and L static images with and without masking the injection site.

A First Case Description of Adrenal Gland Tumour in a Lion (Panthera Leo): Tomographic and Clinico-Pathological Findings

The lion was sedated by tele-anaesthesia with dexmedetomidine (5 mcg/kg) and ketamine (2 mg/kg) combination. A complete clinical evaluation and subsequent abdominal ultrasound examination were performed by the referring veterinarian with no significant abnormalities reported. Blood was collected to perform a complete blood count, a basic serum chemistry panel (AST, ALT, Albumin, ALKP, GGT, Total Bilirubin, Cholesterol, Total Protein, Triglycerides, Glucose, Urea, Creatinine, Albumin, Globulin and A/G ratio, Ca++, P, Na+, K+, Cl-), and the measurement of serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4), cortisol and testosterone. Serum protein electrophoresis and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)/Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) tests were also performed. Nevertheless, laboratory results were unremarkable. The patient was discharged in order to collect data from the examinations performed. Over the next three months, the patient did not show any significant improvement of the clinical condition with a severe anorexia, progressive weight loss and lethargy. Therefore, the patient was immobilised again with the same anaesthetic protocol and after the placement of a 18G catheter into the right cephalic vein, the patient was maintained deeply sedated until reaching the University Hospital – Azienda Polo Veterinario di Lodi. A constant rate infusion (CRI) was administered by infusion pumps at 6 mcg/kg/h of dexmedetomidine, to achieve an adequate continuous sedation (approximately for 3 hours). At the arrival the CRI was stopped and an intravenous bolus of propofol (~0, 5 mg/kg) was administered in order to obtain orotracheal intubation; general anaesthesia was maintained by isoflurane in 100% oxygen to effect, on mechanical ventilation. The patient was placed in dorsal recumbency on the computed tomography (CT) table with the hindlimbs extended caudally. A complete CT examination of the abdomen was Abstract