Simona Valentini

Application of the 'extraction bag' in laparoscopic treatment of unilateral and bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism in dogs.

Laparoscopy is a mini-invasive surgical technique, particularly indicated in the treatment of unilateral and bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism in dogs (Bianco et al., 1997; Petrizzi et al., 1998; Pena et al., 1998; Gallagher et al., 1992). Following testicular removal via laparoscopy, we found it advantageous to use an ‘extraction bag’, a technique that had been previously described by Gallagher (Gallagher et al., 1992). By placing the isolated testicle inside this device, asepsis of the operating field is maintained without limiting intra-abdominal surgical manoeuvres. In the case of bilateral cryptorchidism, as the first testicle is isolated and introduced into the extraction bag, it is possible to continue with the contralateral testicle with final extraction of the two testicles through the same surgical incision.

Sartorius muscle contracture in a German shepherd dog.

OBJECTIVE To report sartorius muscle contracture in a dog. STUDY DESIGN Case report. ANIMALS A 5-year-old, male, German Shepherd dog. METHODS After a 2-month history of right hindlimb lameness was treated by tenectomy of the caudal sartorius muscle for sartorius muscle contracture. RESULTS One month after surgery there was complete remission of clinical signs; however, after 12 months, there was partial reunion of sartorius caudal belly and onset of gracilis muscle contracture. CONCLUSIONS Contracture of the sartorius muscle in dogs is seemingly rare and similar to gracilis muscle contracture with which it may be confused. Differentiation requires knowledge of muscular anatomy, careful palpation, and surgical inspection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Sartorius muscle contracture can be treated by tenectomy or removal of contracted muscle tissue, however, long-term outcome suggests the need to develop approaches that prevent recurrence caused by scarring of transected tissues.

Systematic Ultrasonographic Investigation of the Equine Tarsus

The horse tarsus is a particularly complex region and its echographic evaluation can involve several diagnostic doubts. The necessity to define a procedural protocol, similar to those accepted for the metacarpal and metatarsal regions (Genovese et al., 1986), has already been recognized (Denoix and Crevier, 1991; Dik, 1993) but it has not yet led to the creation of standard protocols. The authors propose subdivision of the tarsal region to facilitate correct and systematic investigation of some specific structures in this region.

Evaluation of mean echogenicity of tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region in neonatal foals: A preliminary study.

The aims of this research were to evaluate mean echogenicity (ME) of the deep and superficial digital flexor tendons (DDFT and SDFT), the interosseous muscle (IM), and the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) of the metacarpal region in neonatal foals, and determine the effect of sex, side and body weight on this quantitative ultrasonographic evaluation. Thirteen orthopedically sound neonatal foals were examined. Four areas of study (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) were identified. Transverse scans of the DDFT, SDFT, IM and ALDDFT were obtained, recorded, and analyzed. The most echogenic structures were the ALDDFT and DDFT, while the SDFT was significantly less echogenic than all other structures (P<0.05). No influence of sex, forelimb, or body weight was observed. The echogenicity of the tenodesmic structures of foals partially overlapped that reported in the metacarpal region in adult horses, except for IM.

Relative Echogenicity of Tendons and Ligaments of the Palmar Metacarpal Region in Foals from Birth to 4 Months of Age: A Longitudinal Study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate relative echogenicity of superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon and interosseous muscle of the metacarpal region in foals ages 1 week to 4 months; and assess the association between echogenicity and sex or side/laterality. Seven Standardbred trotter foals were examined. Right and left metacarpal regions (palmar surface) were ultrasonographically investigated, and four regions of interest were assessed. A significant increase in echogenicity was seen in superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, accessory ligament of deep digital flexor tendon, and interosseous muscle during growth from 1 week to 4 months of age. Echogenicity of examined tendons and ligaments was not influenced by gender nor laterality. Reference values for tendon and ligament echogenicity could function as a tool to discriminate between physiological and abnormal conditions such as congenital contractural conditions.

Peritoneal Ultrasonography in Dogs and Cats

Peritoneal effusion is common in small animal practice; however, many other diseases can involve the peritoneum and peritoneal cavity, such as peritonitis, cysts, haematomas, parasitosis and neoplasias. Ultrasound examination can detect even small amounts of fluid that are not detectable radiographically and may assist in performing echo-guided paracentesis, thus allowing examination of the resulting fluid and, if possible, the determination of the cause. Abdominal ultrasonography has also been used successfully in the diagnosis of many other peritoneal diseases. We review the echographic images associated with the most frequent pathologies of the peritoneum and peritoneal cavity of the dog and the cat.

Prognostic value of canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity and lipase activity in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus

This study evaluated the association between a selection of candidate predictor variables, including the elevation of specific pancreatic enzymes, and outcome in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Twenty-two dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus were included, being classified as survivors or non-survivors based on the final outcome. Dogs with intestinal obstruction (n = 16) were selected for comparison. Blood samples were collected upon admission (T0) and after 24 hours (T1). Serum lipase activity, canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) and other variables (plasma lactate concentration and C- reactive protein -CRP- in particular) were evaluated as predictive variables. T0 cPLI and serum lipase activity were not found to differ significantly between dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus or intestinal obstruction. Canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity values above 400 μg/L were detected in 6/22 dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus and 4/16 with intestinal obstruction. However, lactate concentration was significantly higher and CRP significantly lower in GDV as compared to IO dogs, and in the GDV group, lipase, cPLI and CRP measured upon admission were significantly associated with a negative outcome. No differences in lipase activity and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity values were detected between T0 and T1. Presurgical cPLI and lipase activity were frequently increased during gastric dilatation-volvulus and were suggestive of the presence of pancreatic damage; while more extensive studies are required, based on this pilot analysis, cPLI has the potential to be a useful predictive variable for outcome in GDV. Further to this, serum CRP was able to predict outcome in this population of dogs with GDV, while blood lactate was not.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of cross-sectional area of tarsal ligaments in Standardbred Trotter Horses

ABSTRACT Ultrasound evaluations of the cross-sectional area (CSA) in the tarsal region of Standardbred Trotter Horses (STH) have been previously reported for tendons but not for ligaments. The objective of this study was to identify normal ultrasonographic CSAs in the tarsal ligaments of STH. Transverse echographic scans of ligaments at five tarsal levels from proximal to distal direction were recorded in 25 healthy STH. All images were recorded, and the CSA measurements (mean ± SD) were determined. The widest structure resulted in the long plantar ligament (LPL) at distal portion of the astragalus, and the smallest was the long medial collateral ligament (LMCL) at the medial malleolus of the tibia. Long collateral ligaments (LCL) increased their CSA at the level of their distal insertions, while LPL reached the maximum CSA in the middle of its length. Although this report was limited due to its retrospective design, it is the opinion of the authors that the normal CSAs investigated in this paper could function as a reference guide when tarsal pathological conditions are suspected in STH.

Assessment of intraocular measurements in neonatal foals and association with gender, laterality, and body weight: a clinical study.

Objective of this study was to describe intraocular measurements in newly born foals (1–7 days of age) and assess the association between globe measurements and gender, laterality, and body weight. B-scan ultrasonographic biometry was performed on both eyes of 22 healthy foals (44 eyes) ages 1–7 days using a 10-MHz transducer. Intraocular measurements (anterior chamber depth, central lens thickness, vitreous chamber depth, axial globe length, longitudinal globe length, lens poles distance) were carried out using the ultrasound internal calipers. The influence of gender (male or female), laterality (right or left eye), and body weight (“light” <48 kg; “heavy” ≥48 kg) on ocular measurements was analysed by the Student t test. Values of P<0.05 were accepted as significant for all analyses. Mean anterior chamber depth was 2.2±0.5 mm (Standard Deviation); central lens thickness was 9.9±0.8 mm; vitreous chamber depth was 15.5±1.1 mm; axial globe length was 27.6±1.6 mm; longitudinal globe length was 35.8±1.2 mm, and lens poles distance was 16.4±1.0 mm. Intraocular measurements were not influenced by gender, laterality nor body weight. This study provides reference values for intraocular measurements in neonatal foals and may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired pathologies involving the globe.