Musculoskeletal ultrasonography of the elbow joint in dogs: applicability and evaluation protocol

Abstract

The elbow is a complex joint and has great clinical relevance in small animal medicine. Previous research in this area has been performed using radiographic and tomographic methods; however, there are limited studies on ultrasonography. The aims of this study was suggesting an evaluation protocol for elbow scan and describe the ultrasonographic anatomy of the elbow joint in dogs. Ten cross-breed dogs weighing 5-15kg underwent radiography and were selected for this ultrasonographic study. The protocol was established for the ultrasonographic description dividing the articular areas in the proximal, middle, and distal, lateral, cranial, medial, and caudal faces. The approach was performed in the longitudinal, transverse and oblique planes and the musculoskeletal structures were described according to the architecture, echogenicity and echotexture. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained for one animal for comparison. Ultrasonography was effective in visualizing and analyzing muscles, tendons and ligaments. Bone contours and regions that have clinical significance such as the medial coronoid process and anconeus process were identified, but with limited access. Prior knowledge of the normal sonographic anatomy of the elbow joint, as well as its technical advantages and limitations will allow further studies related to the identification of musculoskeletal disorders.

Use of Ultrasonography in Diagnosis of Medial Compartment Disease of the Elbow in Dogs

“…5 They also positioned the probe in a transverse section to evaluate the medial coronoid process, as we preferred a longitudinal section, as described in the literature. 21,32 As only unclear elbows were selected in our study, this percentage could intuitively have been even higher.…”

Ultrasonography, Microcomputed Tomography, and Macroscopic Preparation in an Anatomical Study of the Thoracic Limb of the Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas)

“…This technique has improved, resulting in the display of the muscle tissue with resolution of up to 0.1 mm. The intravital possibility of examining these parameters enables the assessment of physiological and pathological dimensions of structures and simultaneous contact with the patient, as in the case of human and animal elbow joint analysis [41,42]. The diameter was clearly measured between the peripheral margins of the hypoechoic muscle structures, which were distant from the bone surface.…”