Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Dogs with Confirmed Shoulder Pathology

Abstract

MRI shows great potential as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of canine shoulder disease.

Diagnostic ultrasonography of the shoulder in dogs – scan techniques and common findings

“…Other imaging methods, such as arthroscopy and MRI with intra-articular contrast injection, can also diagnose inflammatory injuries and ruptures in this tendon but are much more invasive and of limited availability (MURPHY et al, 2008). In a recent report, ultrasonography proved as sensitive as MRI in the diagnosis of injuries in the bicipital tendon in humans, and ultrasonography had the advantage of allowing the dynamic evaluation of the tendon (BATTAGLIA et al, 2015).…”

“…Among the most common orthopedic disorders of the shoulder region are articulation instability, which is essentially a clinical and arthroscopic diagnosis (MURPHY et al, 2008;WASCHBURGER et al, 2014), osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans, bicipital tenosynovitis, calcific supraspinatus tendinitis, and fibrous contracture of the infraspinous, which requires other imaging methods, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for a diagnostic conclusion (BUTTERWORTH; COOK, 2006;SILVA et al, 2013).…”

“…The additional visualization of an anechoic halo surrounding the calcification has been referred to as a possible inflammatory process and correlated with the manifestation of clinical signs . However, tendinopathies of the supraspinatus are commonly asymptomatic and considered diagnostic findings; therefore, ultrasound or magnetic resonance evaluation in the search for evidence of the presence of inflammation is essential for the correlation between the clinical manifestations of the patient and such findings (MISTIERI, 2008;MURPHY et al, 2008). The supraspinatus tendon, seen as the most hyperechoic structure (solid arrows), is delineated, and a hyperechoic structure is observed in its parenchyma (dashed arrow) with distal acoustic shadowing, which is characteristic of calcific tendinosis.…”

“…Although it does not cause discomfort, anesthesia is performed because the bicipital tendon is simultaneously evaluated in the same procedure, as retrospective studies have shown the relationship between the presence of large calcifications on the supraspinous tendon and bicipital tenosynovitis (MISTIERI, 2008;MURPHY et al, 2008).…”

Magnetic resonance imaging of selected limb joints in dogs

“…According to Stadie et al (2004), the selection of adequate sequences in MRI examinations of the shoulder joints supports the diagnosis of OCD in 100%, shoulder neoplasms -in 100%, mineralization of the supraspinatus tendon -in 50%, inflammations of the biceps brachii tendon sheath -in 100%. MRI is also a highly useful technique for diagnosing pathological changes in the soft tissue of the shoulder joint area and the brachial plexus (Stadie et al 2004, Murphy et al 2008.…”