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This study shows that PDT is a successful procedure based on clinical findings and in terms of owner perception. It has also demonstrated that PDT improves ocular comfort and vision in medically refractive cases of keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and that a low level of on-going management is required in 33% of cases.

The images are courtesy of M Rhodes at Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service. Salivary mucocoeles result from saliva leaking from the salivary glands, or ducts, into the surrounding tissues, thus causing inflammation and granulation tissue formation (hedlund and Fossum 2007). The aetiology is unclear, but trauma, sialoliths, foreign bodies, neoplasia and duct obstruction have all been implicated (Spangler and Culbertson 1991, Bellenger and Simpson 1992, McGill and others 2009, Trumpatori and others 2007). Aspiration typically reveals tenacious, straw-coloured fluid (Slatter and Basher 2003). Staining with periodic acid Schiff allows the mucin content to be detected. The canine zygomatic salivary gland is situated in the ventral orbit with one major and two to four minor ducts opening opposite the first maxillary molar (evans 1993). Zygomatic mucocoeles have been described following non-specific trauma (Schmidt and Betts 1978, Pope and Bauer 1986), and as a postoperative complication following dental extraction (Adams and others 2011) and caudal hemimaxillectomy (Clarke and L'eplattenier 2010). This short communication outlines the occurrence of a zygomatic mucocoele following suspected oropharyngeal stick injury. A one-year nine-month-old neutered female collie-cross was referred for investigation of right-sided exophthalmos. The dog had yelped while running through bushes just prior to onset of right facial pain, swelling, exophthalmos, third eyelid protrusion and pain on opening its mouth. Physical examination revealed right facial and subzygomatic swelling. Conscious oral examination was not possible. Ophthalmic examination revealed marked right-sided exophthalmos, dorsolateral strabismus, third eyelid protrusion, lagophthalmos, and an associated axial corneal ulcer (Fig 1). Globe retropulsion was not possible. The eye was uncomfortable but visual, with normal menace response and brisk dazzle and pupillary light reflexes. Fundic examination revealed focal tapetal hyporeflectivity and altered colouration consistent with posterior globe indentation. Intraocular pressure (TonoVet tonometer; Icare Finland) was slightly raised in the right eye (20 mm hg) compared with the left eye (14 mm hg).

Objective To evaluate the benefit of iris biopsy in cats with iris hyperpigmentation to differentiate melanosis from early feline diffuse iris melanoma (FDIM). Methods The medical records of cats with unilateral iris hyperpigmentation that had undergone iris biopsy between February 2013 and September 2016 at Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service were reviewed. Results Seven cats with unilateral iris hyperpigmentation were included in this retrospective study. The biopsy procedure was performed under general anesthesia (n = 7) with neuromuscular blockade (n = 6) following pre‐operative topical miotic therapy (n = 5). One to six biopsy samples per eye were harvested from areas of hyperpigmentation. The samples were partial thickness (n = 4 eyes) and full thickness (n = 3 eyes). Complications were minor: mild intra‐operative hemorrhage (n = 4), fibrin clot (n = 2), corneal ulcer (n = 1), post‐operative ocular hypertension (n = 1), dyscoria (n = 1), and pseudopolycoria (n = 2). The first biopsy was diagnostic in six cats; a repeat biopsy was necessary in one cat. Histopathology was consistent with melanosis in five cats and with early FDIM in two cats. Screening for signs of metastatic disease (thoracic computed tomography and abdominal ultrasonography) was negative in the two cats with a preliminary diagnosis of early FDIM. Subsequent enucleation and histopathology confirmed the initial diagnosis in both cases. Conclusions Iris biopsy in cats with iris hyperpigmentation can be beneficial to differentiate melanosis from early FDIM and thereby help to justify the decision for early enucleation.

ABSTRACT. An L‐shaped auditory intemeuron (LI) has been recorded from extracellularly and intracellularly, and identified morphologically (by Lucifer yellow or cobalt injection) in the prothoracic ganglion of mature female Acheta domesticus. The morphology of the LI is very similar to ascending, prothoracic acoustic interneurons that are most sensitive to higher carrier frequencies in both A. domesticus and other gryllid species. Its terminations in the brain are similar to ascending acoustic interneurons found in other gryllids. The LI neuron is most sensitive to 4–5 kHz model calling songs (CSs), the main carrier frequency of the natural call. Thresholds to high frequencies (8–15 kHz) are 15–20 dB higher. Increasing CS intensities of up to 15 dB above threshold at 4–5 kHz result in increased firing rates by the LI. More than 15 dB increase in intensity causes saturation with little increase in spiking rate until the intensity surpasses 80 dB. In response to 70 dB or higher stimulus intensities, the LI responds to the second and third CS syllables with one or two spikes, pauses, and then produces a burst of nerve impulses with the same or greater latency than for lower intensity stimuli. In response to CS syllables of changing duration (10–30 ms) this neuron responds with a rather constant duration burst of impulses. Syllable periods of the CS stimuli were accurately encoded by the LI. Progressively stronger injection of hyperpolarizing current reduces, and ultimately stops spiking of the LI in response to CS stimuli. More intense stimulation with reduced hyperpolarization shows an initial spike, pause and burst of spikes. Intracellular recording from axonal regions of the neuron shows large spikes, small EPSPs and a developing hyperpolarization through the response to a CS chirp. Inhibitory input to the LI is demonstrated at 4.5, 8 and 16 kHz. This probably explains the specialized response characteristics of the LI which enhanced its encoding of CS syllable period.

Nearly 500,000 total hip replacements are being done annually. In hopes of reducing the pain and recovery time for these patients, development of less-invasive procedures has been a topic of interest among orthopedists. The purpose of this study is to obtain intraoperative and postoperative data to compare three different total hip arthroplasty procedures: standard (10-12 in. incision), mini-incision (2.5-3.5 in. incision), and the 2-incision approach (1.5 inches each). This study will provide information to determine if minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can reduce rehabilitation time and complication rates when compared to the standard approach. In addition, the learning curve for the challenging two-incision MIS will be determined for three different surgeons over a 17-month period. It is hypothesized that the two-incision MIS approach will reduce rehabilitation time and the number and severity of complications for the 60-day postoperative period. The study is a retrospective chart review of all THAs done by Russell Cohen, MD; Jay Katz, MD; and Scott Slagis, MD from December 31, 2002 through May 31, 2004. The primary endpoints include: length of hospital stay, discharge location, transfusion rates, number and severity of complications for the period of 60-days following surgery, estimated blood loss, length of surgery, operating room staff, number of physical therapy sessions, BMI, incision length, and blood products. Following completion of data entry, statistical analysis will be performed by a biostatistician designated by the sponsor (Zimmer, Inc). Analysis will include mean, standard deviation, max, min, mode, median, and an ANOVA test to the level of p=0.05. This study has the potential to contribute to the understanding of whether MIS is effective in reducing rehabilitation time and complication rates. This information could be beneficial to future hip replacement patients. In addition, knowledge pertaining to the number of surgeries required in order to become proficient in this procedure will aid surgeons who are considering implementation of these methods.

Background: Tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) is a rare clinical entity but carries a high mortality rate (20%-40%). The incidence of TBP among patients with pulmonary TB ranges from 1%-8%. Pericardial involvement is invariably associated with TB elsewhere in the body by infectious extension in the lung, tracheobronchial tree, adjacent lymph nodes, spine, sternum, or by miliary spread. In many adults, TBP represents reactivation disease, making the primary focus of infection less apparent. Symptoms of TBP are related to either fluid overload (i.e. pulmonary and peripheral edema) compromised cardiac output (i.e. fatigue and dyspnea) or both. Physical exam has low yield in the diagnosis, but may demonstrate symptoms of volume overload and compromised cardiac output. ECG and CXR may be suggestive of the diagnosis, but ECHO is currently the gold standard modality for constrictive pericarditis. Treatment of TBP is largely medical. Pericardiectomy is reserved for patients with recurrent effusions or failed medical management. Methods: In the present report, we discuss a healthy 44-year-old Vietnamese woman, who first presented with fever, cough productive of yellow sputum, shortness of breath, and pleuritic chest pain for 9 months. She then underwent extensive work-up and evaluation for persistence and worsening fluid overload and pump failure symptoms. ECHO revealed constrictive pericarditis. Thus, the patient was taken to the operating room for a pericardiectomy. Results: Following surgical intervention, our patient had a rapid and marked clinical improvement. Biopsy of the pericardial tissue revealed caseating granulomas with acid-fast bacilli. Conclusion: Isolated TBP is a rare clinical entity but its diagnosis and prompt management may result in decreased morbidity and mortality. Treatment remains largely medical, but surgical intervention is indicated in those patients with worsening symptoms.

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