Silvana Maria Unruh

Imagem radiográfica da cavidade torácica de cães Golden Retriever acometidos pela distrofia muscular

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder with clinical signs of muscular weaknesses and progressive atrophy. Golden Retriever dogs show similar genotypic and phenotypic characteristics to Human Muscular Dystrophy and are considered a proper animal model for DMD studies. Latero-lateral and dorso-ventral thoracic radiographies were obtained from 10 Golden Retriever dogs affected by muscular dystrophy, to investigate possible radiographic alterations. Thorax radiographic examination revealed (a) interstitial and alveolar pattern, (b) initial phases of pneumonia and pulmonary edema, (c) cardiomegaly as a principal alteration in the thoracic cavity, (d) megaesophagus displacing the trachea and heart silhouette, and (e) cranial protrusion of the diaphragm lining into the thorax with development of a hiatus hernia displacing the stomach to the caudal mediastinum. Postmortem examination showed pleural effusion, pulmonary emphysema, degenerative and metaplasic processes in the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. Radiographic examination was considered essential for the diagnosis of cardiac and respiratory disease in Golden Retriever dogs affected by muscular dystrophy, and to identify the primary pulmonary process and to provide the establishment of suitable therapeutic treatment, with a reserved prognosis in advanced stage of the disease.

Viabilidade da pneumonectomia direita em cães: uma avaliação paramétrica, hemogasométrica e radiográfica

In dogs, the evidence of viability of the right pneumonectomy, as well as the study of complications resulting from surgical procedure, are very important regarding the few specific studies made on the pneumonectomy in this animal species. The objective of this project was to carry out an experimental study to evaluate the viability of the right pneumonectomy in dogs through parametric, hemogasometric and radiographic evaluation. Ten adult healthy mongrel dogs, males and females, weighing 13-32 kg, were used. The dogs were submitted to selective intubation and right thoracotomy at the 5th intercostal space, where the pneumonectomy was performed. A radiografic evaluation was made on days 7, 30 and 60 after the surgery, as well as parametric and hemogasometric evaluations were done (before anesthetic induction, 1 hour after extubation, 48 hours and on days 7, 30 and 60 after the surgical procedure), considered important to evaluate possible complications due to the anesthetic and surgical techniques, as well as complications resulting from these procedures. The results were analyzed statistically. Besides the parametric and hemogasometric alterations, all dogs showed compensation for the gaseous exchanges after removing 57% of the pulmonary volume. Regarding the radiographic evaluation, it could be observed that the expansion of the remaining lung caused heart and lung displacement into the right hemithorax. It can be concluded that the right pneumonectomy is completely feasible in dogs, allowing a parametric, hemogasometric and radiographic satisfactory evaluation in all the animals.

Calving duration and obstetric assistance influence pulmonary function of Holstein calves during immediate fetal-to-neonatal transition

Neonatal immediate adaptation to extrauterine life depends mainly on adequate lung function, which is under the influence of previous fetal maturation and obstetrical condition, both acting to stimulate the efficient liquid removal from the pulmonary parenchyma during the immediate transition period. The objective of the present study is to identify chest radiographic changes of neonatal calves born under the influence of different duration of calving and obstetric assistance and correlate with clinical analysis and blood acid-base balance. Experimental groups were determined according to the duration of calving: 2 h (n  =  16), 2–4 h (n  =  16) and >4 h (n  =  12), and additionally by two sub-groups: no-intervention calving (n  =  22) and intervention calving (n  =  22). Neonatal calves were evaluated for heart and respiratory rate at birth, 5 min, every 10 min until 90 min. Arterial acid-base balance was determined immediately after calving and thoracic radiographs were made at 10 min of life. Lung radiopacity was higher in the 2–4 hr Group compared to the 2 hr Group. When calving duration was greater than 4 hours, a significant respiratory depression was observed. Calving greater than 2 hours slower neonatal pulmonary clearance, 100% and 91.6% of the calves born in the 2–4 hr and >4 hr Groups, respectively, had mild to moderate lung parenchyma opacity. There was a positive correlation between lung radiographic changes and blood TCO2 and negative correlation between pulmonary opacity score and blood PaO2 and SO2. Hence, it is possible to infer that neonatal hypoxia during prolonged calving has an imperative influence on pulmonary fluid absorption in calves. In conclusion, calving greater than 2 hours impacts pulmonary function at birth, leading to altered lung gas exchange, pulmonary clearance, cardiac and respiratory pattern. Conversely, obstetric intervention when calving has duration greater than 4 hours is beneficial for neonatal oxygenation.

Tomography, Radiography, and Rhinoscopy in Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Lesions Affecting the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses in Dogs: Comparative Study

Canine nasal and paranasal diseases have variable causes. Presumptive diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations; however, high similarity of clinical signs often calls for diagnostic imaging modalities and rhinoscopy before a definitive diagnosis can be reached. This study sets out to determine the value of rhinoscopy, radiography, and computed tomography (CT) of the head for canine nasal and paranasal disease diagnosis using a purposely developed comparative score. In all, 20 dogs presenting with clinical signs consistent with nasal disease were used. Patients were submitted to radiographic, CT, and rhinoscopic assessment; rhinoscopy-guided biopsy collection was performed in cases presenting with tissue proliferation, ulceration, or other nasal mucosal lesions. Rhinoscopy and rhinoscopy combined with CT significantly contributed to nasal disease diagnosis. Rhinoscopy and CT are complementary diagnostic modalities. Rhinoscopy proved helpful for confirmation of presumptive diagnosis and allowed image-assisted biopsy collection whereas CT contributed to effective determination of lesion extension and involvement of adjacent structures. Yet, histologic confirmation remains vital for definitive diagnosis.

Sinovite linfocítica plasmocítica associada à ruptura de ligamento cruzado cranial em um cão

This case-study describes plasmacytic lymphocytic synovitis associated with left cruciate cranial ligament rupture in a 2-year old female Pit Bull dog, with a history of bilateral hind limb lameness. The arthroscopy exam showed synovial membrane congestion and roughness, villi hyperplasia and hyperemia, as well as cartilage degeneration lesions. The hystopathological exam of the synovial membrane revealed lymphoplasmacytic nodules.