Frédéric Snaps

Relevant radiological anatomy of the pig as a training model in interventional radiology

Abstract. The use of swine for teaching purposes in medicine and surgery has largely increased in recent years. Detailed knowledge of the porcine anatomy and physiology is a prerequisite for proper use of pigs as a teaching or an experimental model in interventional radiology. A systematic study of the radiological anatomy was undertaken in more than 100 female pigs aged 6–8 weeks. All studies were performed under general anesthesia in a single session. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the study. Selective angiographies were systematically obtained in all anatomical territories. In other animals CT and MRI examinations were performed and were correlated to anatomical sections and acrylic casts of the vascular structures. Endoscopical examinations of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including retrograde opacification of the biliary and pancreatic ducts, were added in selected animals. The main angiographic aspects of the brain, head and neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis were recorded. Similarities and differences in comparison with human anatomy are stressed. Potential applications in interventional radiology are indicated.

Eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy in dogs

Eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy was diagnosed in 23 young dogs. Clinical signs included cough, gagging, and retching in all dogs, dyspnea in 21 dogs (91%), and nasal discharge in 12 dogs (52%). The most common radiographic findings were a moderate to severe bronchointerstitial pattern (68%, 13 of 19 dogs). Bronchoscopic findings included the presence of abundant yellow-green mucus or mucopurulent material (70%, 16 of 23 dogs) and severe mucosal thickening with an irregular or polypoid appearance (52%, 12 of 23 dogs), with partial airway closure during expiration in 3 dogs (13%). Peripheral blood eosinophilia was noted in 14 of 23 dogs (61%). Inflammatory cells in brush or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytologic preparations comprised more than 50% eosinophils in 14 of 23 dogs (61%), and 20-50% eosinophils in 6 dogs (26%). Eosinophilic infiltration of the bronchial mucosa was observed in biopsies from 19 dogs and was graded as mild (37%, 7 dogs), moderate (32%, 6 dogs), or severe (32%, 6 dogs). The mean serum immunoglobulin A concentration was almost double that of a population of 20 healthy dogs of various breeds. Oral glucocorticoids were administered on alternate days with progressive tapering of the dose; the dosage at maintenance varied between 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg every other day. No relationship was found between the duration of clinical signs and the maintenance dosage or the cytologic and histopathologic grades.

Inhaled fluticasone reduces bronchial responsiveness and airway inflammation in cats with mild chronic bronchitis.

This study investigated the effect of inhaled fluticasone on lower airway inflammation and bronchial responsiveness (BR) to inhaled carbachol in cats with very mild, chronic bronchitis (n=5) that were compared with healthy cats serving as controls (n=6). Chest radiographs, BR tests performed non-invasively by barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed before and after treatment. BR was quantified by calculating the concentration of carbachol inducing bronchoconstriction (C-Penh300%), defined as a 300% increase of baseline Penh, an index of bronchoconstriction obtained by BWBP. BAL fluid was analyzed cytologically and the oxidant marker 8-iso-PGF2α was determined. At test 1, healthy cats and cats with bronchitis were untreated, whereas for test 2 inhalant fluticasone (250 μg once daily) was administrated for 2 consecutive weeks to cats with bronchitis. Control cats remained untreated. Inhaled fluticasone induced a significant increase in C-Penh300% and a significant decrease of BAL fluid total cells, macrophages, neutrophils and 8-iso-PGF2α in cats with bronchitis, whilst untreated control cats did not show significant changes over time. This study shows that a 2-week fluticasone treatment significantly reduced lower airway inflammation in very mild bronchitis. BR could be successfully monitored in cats using BWPB and decreased significantly in response to inhaled fluticasone. 8-Iso-PGF2α in BAL fluid was responsive to treatment and appeared as a sensitive biomarker of lower airway inflammation in cats.

Bronchodilators in bronchoscopy-induced airflow limitation in allergen-sensitized cats.

This study investigated the effect of bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on respiratory function, determined by barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP), of healthy and allergen-sensitized cats. Furthermore, the efficacy of inhaled bronchodilators in preventing changes in respiratory function was determined. For test 1, 18 healthy experimental cats were investigated on day 1 by BWBP. On day 2, the cats underwent BWBP after sedation (medetomidine), after anesthesia induction (propofol), and after bronchoscopy and BAL. Enhanced pause (Penh) was significantly increased after bronchoscopy and BAL (1.64 +/- 0.17 versus 1.23 +/- 0.07, P < .05). For test 2, 6 cats were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA), 6 cats were sensitized to Ascaris suum (AS), and 6 cats served as controls. On day 0, OVA- and AS-sensitized cats underwent an inhaled allergen challenge, whereas controls were exposed to saline. On days 1 and 2, the same protocol as described for test 1 was repeated. Post-BAL Penh of the AS-sensitized cats was significantly higher than at test 1 (2.28 +/- 0.22 versus 1.69 +/- 0.33, P < .05) and was correlated with BAL fluid neutrophil count (r = 0.55, P < .05). During tests 3, 4, and 5, the same protocol as used for test 2 was applied to each cat group, with the animals being randomly treated before sedation with inhaled salbutamol (200 microg), ipratropium bromide (40 microg), or a combination of both (200 + 40 microg). Post-BAL Penh of the AS-sensitized group was significantly decreased after the salbutamol + ipratropium bromide treatment (1.56 +/- 0.18 versus 2.28 +/- 0.22, P < .05). This study suggests that bronchoscopy and BAL induce airflow limitation in cats, which is more severe in the presence of lower airway inflammation. Inhaled salbutamol + ipratropium bromide reduce BAL-induced bronchoconstriction in AS-challenged cats and might be recommended as preventive treatment of asthmatic cats undergoing bronchoscopy.

A retrospective study of non-specific rhinitis in 22 cats and the value of nasal cytology and histopathology

Case records from 40 cats subjected to rhinoscopic examination for investigation of chronic nasal disease were reviewed. Cases in which no specific underlying cause (eg neoplasia) was detected were further selected for detailed retrospective study. In these 22 cats (55% of the initial population), a final diagnosis of non-specific chronic nasal disease was made. The radiographic, rhinoscopic, cytological and histopathological findings were reviewed. Mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained in 20 cases. Despite clinical signs of more than 4 weeks duration, histopathology indicated acute inflammation in four cases. Two cases had chronic lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and 14 had mixed (lymphoplasmacytic and neutrophilic) inflammation. Specimens for cytology were obtained from 17 cases by brush sampling. Three of these samples were not diagnostic due to the poor quality of the slides; one showed normal cytology. Acute inflammation was diagnosed by cytology (n=11) more commonly than chronic (n=1) or mixed inflammation (n=1). Concurrent samples, of quality suitable for both histopathological and cytological interpretation, were collected from 12 cases only. Cytological results were in agreement with the histological results in 25% of these cases, the main discrepancy being the nature of the dominant inflammatory cell type. Therefore cytology does not appear to be a reliable means for detection of chronic inflammation. Further studies are needed in order to investigate the correlation between the nature of mucosal inflammation as defined by both histological and cytological evaluation, and the relationship of these test results to prognosis and therapy.

Bronchopulmonary and Disseminated Granulomatous Disease Associated with Aspergillus Fumigatus and Candida Species Infection in a Golden Retriever

A seven-year-old, female golden retriever was referred for a paroxysmal, chronic cough and dyspnea, dysphagia, facial pruritus, anterior uveitis, and deteriorating general condition. A severe, mixed interstitial and alveolar pattern, with poorly defined amorphous lesions, was seen on thoracic radiographs. Multiple, whitish nodules disseminated on the hyperemic respiratory mucosa were noted on bronchoscopy. Escherichia coli and Aspergillus fumigatus were cultured from the bronchoalveolar lavage. Granulomatous lesions in numerous organs were identified during necropsy, and Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida spp. were cultured from lung and kidney tissues. Microscopic granulomatous lesions were compatible with mycotic infection; however fungal organisms were not observed.

Evaluation of computed tomographic anatomy of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint

OBJECTIVE To determine the detailed computed tomography (CT) anatomy of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in healthy horses. SAMPLE POPULATION 10 cadaveric forelimbs from 10 adult horses without orthopedic disease. PROCEDURES CT of the MCP joint was performed on 4 forelimbs. In 1 of the limbs, CT was also performed after intra-articular injection of 30 mL of contrast medium (40 mg of iodine/mL). Transverse slices 1-mm thick were obtained, and sagittal and dorsal planes were reformatted with a slice thickness of 2 mm. The CT images were matched with corresponding anatomic slices from 6 additional forelimbs. RESULTS The third metacarpal bone, proximal sesamoid bones, and proximal phalanx could be clearly visualized. Common digital extensor tendon; accessory digital extensor tendon; lateral digital extensor tendon; superficial digital flexor tendon (including manica flexoria); deep digital flexor tendon; branches of the suspensory ligament (including its attachment); extensor branches of the suspensory ligament; collateral ligaments; straight, oblique, and cruciate distal sesamoidean ligaments; intersesamoidean ligament; annular ligament; and joint capsule could be seen. Collateral sesamoidean ligaments and short distal sesamoidean ligaments could be localized but not at all times clearly identified, whereas the metacarpointersesamoidean ligament could not be identified. The cartilage of the MCP joint could be assessed on the postcontrast sequence. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE CT of the equine MCP joint can be of great value when results of radiography and ultrasonography are inconclusive. Images obtained in this study may serve as reference for CT of the equine MCP joint.

Comparison of two canine registry databases on the prevalence of hip dysplasia by breed and the relationship of dysplasia with body weight and height

OBJECTIVE To compare the results of 2 canine registries for classification of the hip joints for dysplasia by breed, and to relate the percentage of dysplastic dogs with body metric characteristics. SAMPLE POPULATION Data on the ranking order of hip dysplasia by breed from 2 registries for 156 dog breeds. PROCEDURES The prevalence of hip dysplasia listed by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the breed mean score according to the list of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia scheme were related to weight and height as well as the body mass index (BMI; kg/m(2)) by breed. RESULTS The OFA ranking order and the percentage of dysplastic dogs were highly correlated with the BVA mean score (rho = 0.74). A significant correlation was found between the prevalence of hip dysplasia and the BMI (r = 0.63). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the highest area under the curve, corresponding to the best discrimination, was at a BMI of 110 kg/m(2) with a criterion value of 15% dysplastic dogs (area under the curve, 0.89). Because the ratio of dogs in the positive and negative groups reflected the prevalence of the condition among breeds in the OFA database, the positive likelihood ratio was 9.32 and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.24. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The OFA statistics and the BVA mean scores reflected the prevalence of hip dysplasia among dog breeds. Body mass index accurately discriminated between breeds with high or low prevalence of hip dysplasia.

Effect of short-term oral and inhaled corticosteroids on airway inflammation and responsiveness in a feline acute asthma model.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether high-dose inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP), alone or in combination with salmeterol (SAL), is as effective as oral prednisolone in reducing airway inflammation and obstruction in cats with experimentally-induced acute asthma. Six cats sensitised to Ascaris suum (AS) were enrolled in a prospective controlled therapeutic trial and underwent four aerosol challenges, at 1-month intervals with AS allergen. The allergen - stimulated animals received four consecutive days treatment with either oral prednisolone at 1mg/kg twice daily, 500 μg of FP inhaled twice daily, or a combination of FP/SAL at 500 μg/50 μg inhaled twice daily, respectively, according to a randomised cross-over design. Treatment-related changes in lung function, airway responsiveness (AR) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology were assessed. Barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP) was used for the assessment of respiratory variables and AR. No significant differences in respiratory rate or Penh (an estimate of airflow limitation measured by BWBP) were detected among treatment groups. Allergen-induced airway hyper-responsiveness was significantly inhibited by all three steroid treatments (P<0.05). The mean BALF eosinophil percentage (±SEM) was lower after oral and inhaled corticosteroid treatment and these changes were significant for groups receiving prednisolone and the FP/SAL combination. Findings suggest high-dose FP, particularly in combination with SAL, is effective in ameliorating airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in this model of acute feline asthma, and highlight the potential use of these drugs in cats experiencing acute exacerbations of the naturally occurring disease.

Use of a Balloon Occlusion Catheter to Facilitate Transarterial Coil Embolisation of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Two Dogs

Two dogs with a history of coughing and exercise intolerance were suspected to have a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and the presence of a type Ill PDA was confirmed by radiography, electrocardiography, ultrasonography and angiography. iTansarterial coil embolisation was carried out by using a modified technique. An ocdusion balloon catheter was inserted through a femoral vein and placed at the pulmonary side of the ductus before the embolisation coils were put in place. Both dogs remained healthy during a follow-up period of nine months.