Ronald D. Sande

Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Equine Musculoskeletal Conditions

There is a growing interest in the use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in equine orthopedic patients. It is well established that CT and MR imaging offer superior diagnostic information in a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries in human beings and small animals. The highly detailed cross-sectional images obtained with these two modalities can often demonstrate pathologic changes undetected with other common imaging techniques. Based on their multiple applications in human beings and small animals, CT or MR imaging may prove to be the optimal diagnostic imaging technique for several types of musculoskeletal disorders of horses.

Radiography, Myelography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Spine

Various methods of documenting pathologic change in the spine and spinal cord are available to the veterinary practitioner. Intimidation caused by the imaging modality and the fear that one will not be able to recognize or diagnose a lesion are the factors that limit the use of diagnostic imaging. One needs only to be able to recognize the variations of normal anatomy to be successful. Once an abnormal area has been identified, the diagnosis is soon to follow. Therefore one should concentrate on improving the simple skills associated with image interpretation and normal anatomy. Lesion identification and definitive diagnoses will follow by natural progression.

ULTRASOUND‐GUIDED FINE‐NEEDLE ASPIRATION

A simple and inexpensive modification of the ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy technique using an extension tube attached to the needle is described. One operator can easily manipulate the ultrasound transducer and biopsy needle while monitoring the entire procedure. This simple modification was found to facilitate ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.

Spontaneous Canine Oral Melanoma: A Large Animal Model for BNCT

Spontaneous tumors, in comparison to transplantable tumors, in animals offer several advantages for investigating new therapeutic modalities prior to human clinical trials. The main advantages are “typical” tumor vasculature, normal anatomical sites, slow growth rates and long cell-cycle times, and a nonimmunogenic nature.

Studies on the Uptake of Para-Boronophenylalanine in Melanoma Cells

Cell-associated boron levels adequate for neutron capture therapy (NCT) have been demonstrated in-vitro using cultured melanoma cells(1) and in-vivo using xenografts in mice.(2-5) Preliminary in-vivo studies performed by researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University (WSU), using a spontaneous canine melanoma model, showed subtherapeutic tumor concentrations of para-boronophenylananine (p-BPA) in a large proportion of dogs. Possible explanations include poor solubility of p-BPA at physiological pH, physiological differences between transplanted and spontaneous tumors, and lack of metabolic incorporation at the cellular level.(2-5)