Ultrasonography of Normal Elbow and Stifle Joints in Dogs
Loading...
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AAU, Anand
Abstract
The present study was conducted to establish ultrasonographic anatomic features of elbow and stifle joints in normal dogs using two dimensional B-mode, real-time ultrasound scanner (e saote My Lab 40 VET) with linear transducers of frequency range 7.5-12 MHz and 10-18 MHz. During the period of proposed work, 39 dogs were examined clinically involving normal stifle (n=23) and elbow (n=12) joints and additionally 09 stifle and O7 elbow joints of dogs with abnormal locomotion. The dogs were allotted to three breed groups viz., small, medium and large. The elbow and stifle were clinically assessed by inspection, palpation and dynamic examination and then subjected to radiographic and US examinations. Ultrasonography of elbow and stifle joints in dogs was performed without sedation at 7.5 MHz, 10 MHz, 12 MHz, 15 MHz and 18 MHz frequencies. The elbow joint was scanned by dividing it in four regions viz., cranial, caudal, lateral and medial. In cranial region, brachialis and biceps brachii muscle, vessels and humeroradial joint space; in caudal region olecranon, triceps tendon and olecranon ligament; in lateral region lateral collateral ligament, humeral condyle and triceps muscle and in medial region, the medial epicondyle and medial collateral ligament were identified. The stifle joint was divided into five regions viz., supra patellar, infra patellar, lateral, medial and caudal. In supra patellar region, distal femur, patella, joint capsule and tendon of quadriceps femoris muscle; in infra patellar region patellar ligament, infra patellar fat body and cruciate ligaments; in lateral region joint capsule, lateral collateral ligament and lateral meniscus and in caudal region popliteal artery and vein were identified. US of the lateral and medial meniscus was similar. In dogs weighing below 15 kg it was not possible to identify the menisci with a 7.5 MHz transducer, but were visible at 15 and 18 MHz. The patellar ligament can be visualized at 7.5 MHz, but was seen best at 18 MHz. In small dogs the cruciate ligaments were not visualized. The thickness of quadriceps tendon was ranging 2.0-2.3mm (small), 1.2-2.4 mm (medium) and 1.8-3.1 mm (large); thickness of patellar ligament halfway between the patellar bone interface and tibial tuberosity interface was 1.2-2.0, 1.8- 3.3 and 2.2-3.7 mm; and at the site of attachment to the tibia it was 2.3-2.6, 2.7-4.8 and 2.8-5.9 mm, respectively. Thickness of articular cartilage was 1.0-1.2 mm (small) and 0.85-2.3 mm (medium); anterior length of patellar ligament was 2.59- 3.14 cm and 2.4-3.67 cm and posterior length of patellar ligament was 1.75-1.99 cmand 1.36-3.01 cm, respectively. Thickness of lateral collateral ligament was 2.0- 2.4 mm (small), 1.7-2.5 (medium) and 1.8-2.7 mm (large); thickness of medial collateral ligament was 2.0-2.3, 1.5-2.6 andl.6-2.9 mm; and thickness of extensor tendon was 1.4-1.8, 1.2-3.5 and 1.7-3.1 mm in small, medium and large sized dogs, respectively. Area of infra patellar fat body 54-88 mm^ (small) and 118-224 mm (medium). Thus, the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of elbow and stifle joints were established in dogs and based on the results of our study it was concluded that 18 MHz linear transducer provides excellent visualization of structures due to its flat surface application and high resolution power.
Description
Keywords
VETERINARY SURGERY & RADIOLOGY, A STUDY