Murat Sarierler

Macroscopic findings of idiopathic congenital megaoesophagus in a calf

MEGAOESOPHAGUS is a congenital or acquired dilation of the oesophagus (Vestweber and others 1985, Ndikuwera and others 1990, Jubb and others 1992). Functional or morphologic defects due to systemic diseases are the underlying cause of acquired megaoesophagus. Congenital megaoesophagus is considered to be a disorder of neuromuscular development in dogs; the pathogenesis of the condition is not clear in other domestic animals (Jubb and others 1992). This short communication describes the clinical and macroscopic postmortem findings in a calf with congenital megaoesophagus. A 15-day-old, male Simmental cross Holstein calf, weighing 23 kg, was referred to the large animal clinic at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University, with a history of regurgitation and a swelling on the left side of the neck since birth. The calf was able to drink milk continuously for approximately one to three minutes but this was followed by extension of the head and neck ventrally and reflux of milk from the nose and mouth. The calf was alert. Physical examination revealed a normal rectal temperature (39·2°C), respiratory rate (76 breaths/minute) and heart rate (128 bpm). Increased bronchovesicular sounds could be heard on auscultation. A blood sample was taken from a jugular vein for haematological and biochemical tests. The packed-cell volume (PCV) was measured in whole blood using a microhaematocrit centrifuge (Hettich). The activities of gamma glutamyltransferase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase in the plasma, and the plasma concentrations of total bilirubin, glucose, urea and total protein, were measured on a spectrophotometer (Model 1601; Shimatzu) using a commercially available kit (Randox). The gamma glutamyltransferase, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin were all within normal ranges. The PCV was 35 per cent (reference range 19 to 34 per cent), total protein was 75·5 g/l (reference range 57 to 73 g/l) and urea was 11·35 mmol/l (reference range 1·6 to 6·0 mmol/l). The slight increase in these parameters might have been related to dehydration or protein catabolism. Lateral and ventrodorsal plain cervicothoracic radiographs revealed enlargement of the oesophagus, and contrast radiography with barium sulphate (R-X suspension 150 g/ 240 ml; Yenisehir) confirmed a megaoesophagus (Fig 1). Because of the poor prognosis, euthanasia was performed with the owner’s consent. Immediately after the calf had been euthanased, its abdominal cavity was opened and the abdominal aorta was cannulated, the vessels were washed with 0·9 per cent physiological saline and red-coloured latex was injected. Macroscopic examination confirmed the dilation of the oesophagus, which caused stretching of the vagus nerve. The broncho-oesophageal artery was enlarged and its caudal branch had a tortuous path, like a rete, at the level of the caudal mediastinal lymph node (Fig 2). The oesophagus was pale and thin walled. There were two constrictions present: the first was at the level of the aortic arch, between the aortic arch on the left, the mediastinal lymph node on the right, the broncho-oesophageal artery dorsally and the trachea ventrally. The colour of the oesophagus was darker at the constriction site from its colour in other parts. The second constriction was observed where the dorsal branches of the vagus nerve on the left and right sides united to form the dorsal vagus trunk (Fig 2). There was no vascular ring anomaly present. The oesophagus was marked at six different regions, removed and emptied, and its diameter was measured using micrometric callipers. Its diameter increased from the neck (22·47 mm) and thoracic inlet (23·79 mm) to the level of the third thoracic vertebra (27·34 mm). The narrowest diameter of the thoracic oesophagus was 23·64 mm, at the level of aortic arch, and it enlarged to 26·45 mm caudally. At the level of the dorsal vagus trunk it again decreased to 24·97 mm (Fig 2). A 10-day-old Holstein calf weighing 37 kg, which had been euthanased because of a pelvic fracture, was examined similarly: the diameter of its oesophagus was 14·48 mm, 14·60 mm, 13·57 mm, 14·07 mm, 14·08 mm and 16·49 mm at the respective regions. In this case, microscopic examination was not performed and the macroscopic examination did not reveal any gross morphological defect that would cause oesophageal dilation. While there are a few reports about acquired segmental megaoesophagus in cattle (Anderson and Vestweber 1984, Vestweber and others 1985, Ross and Rebhun 1986), there has Veterinary Record (2006) 158, 26-27

Early and late effects of capsaicin pretreatment in otitis media with effusion.

Purpose: Discovery of the role of the neurogenic inflammation in the formation of otitis media with effusion has led to the investigation of the place of some neuropeptide antagonists in the treatment. In the current study, we investigated the effect of capsaicin (CP) pretreatment on the inflammation and proliferation in the middle ear mucosa and on the nerve fibers containing substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and calcitonin gene-related peptide. Methods: Seventeen Wistar rats were used in the study. Ten rats were given CP on 3 consecutive days, and seven rats were given isotonic saline solution. Seven days after the third injection, animals were operated on, and their eustachian tubes were occluded. On the seventh day after the operation, five rats from the test group and three from the control group were killed. The others were killed 21 days after the operation. In the histopathologic examination of the sections, acute inflammation and proliferation scores were determined. Gland degeneration, goblet cell hyperplasia, and the density of mast cells were evaluated. Neural elements were stained immunohistochemically. Results: The acute inflammation score in the test group was lower, but the difference was insignificant (p > 0.05). The proliferation score in the test group was lower, and the difference was significant (p = 0.02). In the control group, gland degeneration was significantly higher (p = 0.044). Goblet cell hyperplasia demonstrated no difference between two groups (p > 0.05). Mast cell density was higher in the control group, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Substance P immunoreactivity (IR) was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.015). calcitonin gene-related peptide-IR and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-IR were limited in both groups. Conclusions: That CP pretreatment reduces inflammatory proliferative findings, and gland degeneration leads us to consider that it could be effective in both treatment of experimental otitis media with effusion and prevention of its complications.

Effect of triple pelvic osteotomy on the proximal femoral geometry in dysplastic dogs.

Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) is one of the surgical procedures for use to try to reduce subsequent degenerative joint disease or modify the progress of hip dysplasia in young dogs. Joint force and pressure distribution were changed by this procedure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find out whether the remodeling of proximal femur exists or not after TPO in dysplastic dogs. Ten femora from five young dysplastic mongrel dogs, treated unilaterally with TPO using 20° canine pelvic osteotomy plates, were used. One year after TPO, neck-proximal shaft angle, femoral head, neck, diaphyseal and mid-shaft diameters, total femoral, femoral neck axis, and intertrochanteric, femoral head offset lengths as well as the lengths from head center to lateral margin of greater trochanter and to proximal femoral axis were measured from the bone. The significant differences between treatment and control side were determined in Norberg angle, neck-proximal shaft angle, neck diameter, diaphyseal diameter, mid-shaft diameter, length from head center to proximal femoral axis and femoral head offset length. In conclusion, although small number of cases was used, it was determined that the aforementioned variables are affected by TPO. So, these variables may be supply additional information about the changes to the joint following TPO in dysplastic dogs.

Effects of triple pelvic osteotomy on anatomic structures of the pelvic region in the dog

Triple pelvic osteotomy has been used in dogs to maintain normal form and anatomical function of the hip in canine hip dysplasia. Pelves subjected to triple pelvic osteotomy undergo several architectural changes of different magnitudes. The aim of this study was to determine the positional changes of the anatomical structure of the pelvis after unilateral triple pelvic osteotomy in five mongrel dogs. Atrophy of the middle gluteal muscle, reduction in tension of the external and internal obturator muscles, compression on the caudal gluteal vein and entrapment of the sciatic nerve at the level of the ilial body were the most remarkable findings in the study. From an anatomical standpoint, it is suggested that the lateral rotation of the acetabulum should be kept minimal to guarantee least alterations in the normal anatomic architecture of the pelvic region.

Effects of capsaicin pre-treatment in experimentally-induced secretory otitis media

Neurogenic inflammation may play a role in the aetiology of secretory otitis media (SOM). The strongest candidate that initiates the characteristic symptoms of neurogenic inflammation is supposed to be substance P. Capsaicin is a specific antagonist of substance P. The effects of capsaicin on middle ear mucosa have not been studied yet. In an attempt to investigate the effect of pre-treatment with capsaicin on the development of SOM an experimental study was performed. Fourteen Wistar rats were divided into two groups. Seven rats were pre-treated with capsaicin (Group 1) and the others were administered isotonic saline solution (Group 2). Seven days after the third injection rats were operated on and the right tympanal orifice of the Eustachian tube was obstructed. Animals were sacrificed seven days after the operation. Their bullas were excised bilaterally and were studied by light microscopic technique. In Group 1 there was no effusion except for one case. The subepithelial layer was thickened by fibroblast proliferation. Capillary proliferation and some glandular atrophy were observed. In Group 2 the middle ear lumens were filled with effusion. Oedema with dilatation in capillaries and medium-sized vessels of lamina propria was observed as a common feature of the group. Subepithelial fibrosis was found in one case. Capsaicin pre-treatment prevented the formation of effusion in the middle ear lumen in spite of tuba occlusion. The results of this preliminary study lead us to consider that an imbalance in the autonomic innervation of the mucosa of the middle ear may play a role in the aetiology of SOM as in vasomotor rhinitis, and capsaicin may be an alternative in the treatment.

Treatment of Long Bone Fractures in Calves with Ilizarov External Fixator

In this study, the advantages and disadvantages of Ilizarov external fixator in the treatment of long bone fractures in calves were investigated. For this purpose, 26 calves of different breeds, ages and genders, having metacarpal (n = 12), metatarsal (n = 5) and antebrachial (n = 9) fractures underwent surgery under general anaesthesia. Frames, which were prepared before surgery in accordance with the radiographic findings, were applied under open reduction in 18 cases, and under closed reduction in eight cases. In the postoperative period, all calves except one started to bear some weigh on the injured limb on the first day, while the remaining calf did the same on the second day. The consolidation started in the first 2 weeks for 24 of the calves and was completed by the day 55. In the two remaining cases, it started in the third week and was completed on day 71 and day 90, respectively.The soft tissue wounds were completely healed in all calves and no complications occurred. In five calves that were not kept in our clinic pin tract infections formed. They were controlled rapidly, and there was no change in the fracture reduction or healing duration.In conclusion, in our study, the Ilizarov external fixator system was applied to long bone fractures in cattle calves, in cases where the fragments were not large enough to apply pins and plates, and which became open and infected after defective bandage practices or unsuitable treatment. Fractures completely healed in all cases, without any complications. These results show that many of the long bone fractures experienced by calves, that were considered for amputation due to the anticipated inability to treat them successfully, could be treated with the use of the Ilizarov system.

Evaluation of proximal and distal motor nerve conduction using the electrical root stimulation technique in the femoral and obturator nerves

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the adaptability of the electrical root stimulation technique by achieving normative data from the obturator and femoral nerves of healthy dogs. METHODS For this purpose, two stimulations and recordings were performed on both the obturator and femoral nerves in 40 dogs (22 males and 18 females). Electrical root stimulation was applied via monopolar needle electrodes between the sixth to seventh and fifth to sixth lumbar interarcuate spaces to the obturator and femoral nerves, respectively. Muscle waves were recorded from the gracilis and sartorius muscles of the left and right pelvic limb. RESULTS The proximal motor nerve conduction velocity was 60.89 ± 3.93 m/s and 59.87 ± 4.83 m/s in the obturator and femoral nerves, respectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Our results showed that electrical root stimulation could be a useful method to test the integrity of the roots of obturator and femoral nerves and their proximal parts.

Osteoarthritis Teşhisinde Manyetik Rezonans Görüntüleme

Kedi ve kopeklerde osteoarthritis (OA) sik rastlanan bir problemdir. Kongenital olabildigi gibi, yaygin olarak kalca displazisi, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), ununited anconeal process, fragmented coronoid process (FPC), ligamentum cruciatum anterior (L CA) rupturu, meniskus hastaliklari ve patella luksasyonu gibi hastaliklar sonucunda da sekillenebilir. Geleneksel olarak OA tani ve degerlendirilmesi, klinik bulgular, fiziksel muayene ve radyografi ile yapilsa da radyografi erk en kikirdak doku hasarini gostermez. Osteoarthritisin erken tanisi, tedavinin basarisini saglamak acisindan cok onemlidir. Bu nedenle, manyetik rezonans goruntuleme (MRG) ile OA’e bagli sekillenen kikirdak dejenerasyonunu henuz mikroskopik duzeydeyken saptamak mumkun oldugundan, MRG onemli bir tani yontemi haline gelmektedir. Insan hekimleri tarafindan yaygin olarak kullanilan MRG, son yillarda ozellikle kucuk hayvan pratigine de dahil olmaya baslamistir. Bu derlemede, MRG’nin OA tanisinda kullanimina ait literatur verilerin derlenerek meslektaslarimizla paylasilmasi amaclanmistir.