Computed tomography of the elbow joint in clinically normal dogs

Abstract

Computed tomographic images provide full anatomic detail of the bony structures of the elbow joint in dogs. Muscles, large blood vessels, and nerves can also be evaluated. These results could be used as a basis for evaluation of computed tomographic images of the forelimbs of dogs with elbow joint injuries.

Use of reconstructed computed tomography for the assessment of joint spaces in the canine elbow

“…Elbows were scanned in pairs and in slight extension to simulate the clinical situation (De Rycke and others 2002). Slice thickness and interval were set as narrow as possible to give the most detailed images.…”

“…Because elbow joint spaces may vary between different areas of the joint (De Rycke and others 2002) and because differences in the plane of reconstructed images may lead to variation in JSM (Holsworth and others 2003), a standard transverse CT slice template was used to plan the reconstructed images. This allowed rCT images to be formatted at consistent levels in the elbow and thus minimise error.…”

“…Computed tomography (CT) has become established as a diagnostic tool for the investigation of FCP (Carpenter and others 1993, Braden and others 1994, Korbel and others 2001, Rovesti and others 2002). After scanning, images can be reconstructed in different planes (Reichle and others 2000, De Rycke and others 2002). Such images have been used to measure joint spaces in human elbows (Seiler and others 1995).…”

Accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting fragmentation of the medial coronoid process in dogs

“…8 Overall accuracy of radiography in detecting fragmentation of the medial coronoid process has been reported to be as low as 57%, 10 with sensitivity of 67% when a craniolateralcaudomedial oblique projection is obtained. 10,[12][13][14] Unfortunately, these imaging modalities are expensive and often only available in specialist centers. 10,[12][13][14] Unfortunately, these imaging modalities are expensive and often only available in specialist centers.…”

Elbow dysplasia and lesions of the medial coronoid process: correlation between tomographic and arthroscopic findings in thirty cases

“…The diagnostic procedure consists, besides the clinical examination, of a standardized radiographic examination according to the indications furnished by the International Elbow Working Group (IEWG), that however gives only information on the presence or lack of secondary osteoarthrosic damage (Van Bree and Van Ryssen 1995;Hornof et al 2000;Blond et al 2005). For this reason, in the last decade the use of second level imaging techniques as CT and arthroscopy, which has the undeniable advantage to offer both diagnostic and therapeutic options, has increased (Van Bree and Van Ryssen 1995;Bardet 1997;Van Ryssen and Van Bree 1997;Hornof et al 2000;Reichele et al 2000;De Rycke et al 2002;Rovesti 2002;Schultz et al 2004;Blond et al 2005;Martini 2006). The present works is to be considered as a retrospective investigation performed on 30 articulations affected by elbow dysplasia to find a possible correlation between CT and arthroscopic findings of different nature and degree, contextually analyzing the possibilities and limits of each technique.…”