M. Di Giancamillo

Variations of serum cortisol in Argentine horses subjected to ship transport and adaptation stress

Abstract The response to stress after transport by ship and adaptation to a new environment was evaluated by variations of serum cortisol (RIA method) in 40 horses imported in Italy from Argentina. The study started at arrival (April 2000) and lasted 6 months (October 2000). As a control group, 42 horses living in Italy have been evaluated. In all subjects, hematocrit, total protein, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and creatinine kinase were determined. In control horses, cortisol values ranged between 103 and 278 nM/L (mean 190.24 ± SE 13.50, SD 43.82, CV 23.03), and no significant differences among sex or age groups were observed (P > .05). In subjects coming from Argentina, cortisol values observed at landing were within the normal range (193.73 nM/L ± SE 7.95, SD 50.29, CV 25.95), increased substantially in May (366.06 nM/L ± SE 10.25, SD 64.81, CV 17.70) and in June (337.19 nM/L ± SE 12.16, SD 76.89, CV 22.80) and returned to normal in October (187.87 nM/L ± SE 12.54, SD 43.50, CV 23.15). The differences observed in May and in June were significant in comparison with the values observed in April (P

The application of cone-beam CT in the aging of bone calluses: a new perspective?

In the forensic and anthropological fields, the assessment of the age of a bone callus can be crucial for a correct analysis of injuries in the skeleton. To our knowledge, the studies which have focused on this topic are mainly clinical and still leave much to be desired for forensic purposes, particularly in looking for better methods for aging calluses in view of criminalistic applications. This study aims at evaluating the aid cone-beam CT can give in the investigation of the inner structure of fractures and calluses, thus acquiring a better knowledge of the process of bone remodeling. A total of 13 fractures (three without callus formation and ten with visible callus) of known age from cadavers were subjected to radiological investigations with digital radiography (DR) (conventional radiography) and cone-beam CT with the major aim of investigating the differences between DR and tomographic images when studying the inner and outer structures of bone healing. Results showed how with cone-beam CT the structure of the callus is clearly visible with higher specificity and definition and much more information on mineralization in different sections and planes. These results could lay the foundation for new perspectives on bone callus evaluation and aging with cone-beam CT, a user-friendly and skillful technique which in some instances can also be used extensively on the living (e.g., in cases of child abuse) with reduced exposition to radiation.

Clinical and computed tomography tumour dimension assessments for planning wide excision of injection site sarcomas in cats: how strong is the agreement?

In injection site sarcoma (ISS) in cats lateral as well as deep margins should be correctly planned for a successful surgical outcome. The discrepancy between clinical and computed tomography (CT) measurements of dimension in resectable tumour has led to possible bias that affects the subsequent surgical dose. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the agreement between clinical and CT measurements of dimension in newly diagnosed ISS in cats. Fifty-three client-owned cats that underwent both clinical and CT measurements of the length and width of ISS were included. CT measurements showed a tendency towards being larger than clinical dimensions, and this difference increased with increasing tumour size. Based on our results, in further studies focusing on ISS in cats, the kind of assessment used to define tumour dimensions (CT versus clinic) should be declared and specified to properly consider surgical results and prognostic impact of this variable.

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

Serum biochemical response to contrast media administration in anaesthetised dogs

Nonionic-iodinated contrast (NIC) and gadolinium-based contrast (GBC) media enhance the sensitivity of CT and MRI procedures, respectively (Schultz and others 2009, Zhao and others 2010). The intravenous administration of contrast media, especially iodinated compounds, is reported to be associated with contrast-induced nephropathy, characterised by an increase in serum creatinine of 44 ∝mol/l, or by more than 25 per cent from the baseline values, within 48–72 hours (Barrett and Parfrey 2006). The aim of this prospective study, with standardised sampling collection, was to assess biochemical changes associated with the intravenous administration of NIC and GBC during routine CT and MRI in dogs, as suggested in a retrospective study by Pollard and others (2008). The study, approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universita degli Studi di Milano (authorisation number 24/11), was performed on 42 dogs (ASA 1 or 2) consecutively admitted, under informed consent, for routine CT or MRI. Dogs were allocated into three groups of 14 patients each. The NIC and the GBC groups included dogs undergoing contrast-enhanced CT, using intravenous iohexol (Omnipaque 300; GE Healthcare) or iodixanol (Visipaque 270; GE Healthcare), or MRI, using intravenous gadodiamide (Omniscan 287; GE Healthcare). The control group (CTR) included dogs undergoing CT or MRI without …

Elbow dysplasia and lesions of the medial coronoid process: correlation between tomographic and arthroscopic findings in thirty cases

ABSTRACT Elbow dysplasia and lesions of the medial coronoidprocess: correlation between tomographicand arthroscopic findings in thirty cases A. F. Botazzoli & F. Ferraresi & O. Travetti & F. M. Martini & C. M. Mortellaro & M. Di Giancamillo Published online: 21 August 2008 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008 Keywords Arthroscopy.Dog.Elbowdysplasia.X-raycomputerizedtomography(CT)IntroductionElbow dysplasia is an invalidating pathology with a not yet entirely clarified etiology, thatimplies a congenital and/or herditary-familiar nature, showing a particularly elevatedincidence in some canine breeds (Retrievers, Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Bernese mountaindog etc.) (Olsson 1975; Guthrie and Pidduck 1990). It can be revealed in various forms,(FCP,UAP,OCD,INC) and if it is not precociously diagnosed it also leads, sometimesinevitably, to forms of severe arthrosis (Olsson 1975; Hornof et al. 2000; Kunzel et al.2004; Blond et al. 2005). The diagnostic procedure consists, besides the clinicalexamination, of a standardized radiographic examination according to the indicationsfurnished by the International Elbow Working Group (IEWG), that however gives onlyinformation on the presence or lack of secondary osteoarthrosic damage (Van Bree and VanRyssen 1995; Hornof et al. 2000; Blond et al. 2005). For this reason, in the last decade theuse of second level imaging techniques as CT and arthroscopy, which has the undeniableadvantage to offer both diagnostic and therapeutic options, has increased (Van Bree andVan Ryssen 1995; Bardet 1997; Van Ryssen and Van Bree 1997; Hornof et al. 2000;Reichele et al. 2000; De Rycke et al. 2002; Rovesti 2002; Schultz et al. 2004; Blond et al.2005; Martini 2006). The present works is to be considered as a retrospective investigationperformed on 30 articulations affected by elbow dysplasia to find a possible correlationbetween CT and arthroscopic findings of different nature and degree, contextuallyanalyzing the possibilities and limits of each technique.

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.

Small-sized newborn dogs skeletal development: radiologic, morphometric, and histological findings obtained from spontaneously dead animals.

BackgroundVery little is known about neonatal skeletal development in small-sized purebred dogs. In order to improve this knowledge, 27 spontaneously dead puppies belonging to small-sized breeds were enrolled in this study for radiologic, histological and morphometric investigations.ResultsThe appearance of the limb secondary ossification centers and the onset of their formation were clearly observed by x rays and confirmed by histological evidences. Radiographic and anatomic measurements of limb bones length and skull length and width were positively correlated with body weight and age of the subjects and the body weight was positively correlated with radius bone mineral density, as demonstrated by dual-energy x-rays absorptiometry.ConclusionsThese data provided original information on the growth of newborn small-sized breed dogs, and suggest that cadavers may be useful to study skeletal development.

Cartilage canals in newborn dogs: histochemical and immunohistochemical findings

Cartilage canals (CCs) are microscopic structures involved in secondary ossification centers (SOCs) development. The features of CCs were investigated in the humeral and femoral proximal epiphyses of small-sized newborn dogs (from premature to 28 days after birth) with histochemical and immunohistochemical approaches. Masson’s Trichrome revealed a ring-shaped area around CCs, which changes in colour from green (immature collagen) to red (mature collagen) as ossification progresses; perichondrium staining always matched the ring color. Safranin-O was always negative. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed immunopositivity for both collagen type I and V around the CCs; collagen type II was negative. CCs count showed a tendency to be higher in the humerus than in the femur. This work enlightened for the first time changes in composition of CCs surrounding matrix during SOCs development in dogs, paving the way to further investigations.

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.