Discal cysts, which lie directly over intervertebral discs, are rare. Two old dogs with tetraparesis were referred to our facility. In both animals, magnetic resonance imaging revealed intraspinal extradural cystic mass lesions that were dorsal to degenerative intervertebral discs at the C3-C4 level. These lesions had low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. A ventral slot approach was used to perform surgical decompression, after which the symptoms improved remarkably. Discal cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of dogs with cervical pain and tetraparesis. One effective treatment for discal cysts is surgical intervention.
Animals ; Decompression, Surgical ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dogs* ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck Pain ; Spine*

Background: Accurate tip positioning of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is crucial for optimal drug delivery and avoiding complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the amplitude ratios of intravascular electrocardiography (ivECG) and external electrocardiography (exECG) according to the tip location. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed ivECG, exECG, and chest X-ray (CXR) of 278 patients who underwent a PICC procedure. The tip-to-carina distance (TCD) was measured using vertebral body units (VBU) on CXR. Tip locations were categorized as follows: Zone 1, malposition (TCD < 0.8 VBU); Zone 2, suboptimal (0.8 VBU ≤ TCD < 1.5 VBU); Zone 3, optimal (1.5 VBU ≤ TCD ≤ 2.4 VBU); Zone 4, deep (TCD > 2.4 VBU). The amplitude ratios between ivECG and exECG and within ivECG were compared in each zone. Results: The ivECG/exECG amplitude ratios of P-wave (Piv/Pex) and QRS-complex (QRiv/QRex and RSiv/RSex) in Zone 3 were significantly higher than in Zones 1 and 2 (adjusted P < 0.05). The ivECG amplitude ratios of the P-wave and QRS-complex (Piv/QRiv and Piv/RSiv) were significantly lower in Zone 3 than in Zones 1 and 2 (adjusted P < 0.001). The calculated TCD using stepwise multiple regression analysis was estimated to be 1.121 + 0.078 × Piv/Pex – 0.172 × Piv/QRiv. Conclusions Though caution is required, amplitude ratios such as Piv/Pex and Piv/QRiv can help determine tip location during the PICC catheterization procedure.

Background: Dental diseases are common in dogs and cats, and accurate measurements of dentoalveolar structure are important for planning of treatment. The information that the comparison computed tomography (CT) with dental radiography (DTR) is not yet reported in veterinary medicine. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the DTR with CT of dentoalveolar structures in healthy dogs and cats, and to evaluate the CT images of 2 different slice thicknesses (0.5 and 1.0 mm). Methods: We included 6 dogs (2 Maltese and 1 Spitz, Beagle, Pomeranian, mixed, 1 to 8 years, 4 castrated males, and 2 spayed female) and 6 cats (6 domestic short hair, 8 months to 3 years, 4 castrated male, and 2 spayed female) in this study. We measured the pulp cavity to tooth width ratio (P/T ratio) and periodontal space of maxillary and mandibular canine teeth, maxillary fourth premolar, mandibular first molar, maxillary third premolar and mandibular fourth premolar. Results: P/T ratio and periodontal space in the overall dentition of both dogs and cats were smaller in DTR compared to CT. In addition, CT images at 1.0 mm slice thickness was generally measured to be greater than the images at 0.5 mm slice thickness. Conclusions The results indicate that CT with thin slice thickness provides more accurate information on the dentoalveolar structures. Additional DTR, therefore, may not be required for evaluating dental structure in small-sized dogs and cats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Various strategies to expand the ablation zone have been attempted using hepatic radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The optimal strategy, however, is unknown. We compared hepatic RFA with an internally cooled wet (ICW) electrode and vascular inflow occlusion. METHODS: Eight dogs were assigned to one of three groups: only RFA using an internally cooled electrode (group A), RFA using an ICW electrode (group B), and RFA using an internally cooled electrode with the Pringle maneuver (group C). The ablation zone diameters were measured on the gross specimens, and the volume of the ablation zone was calculated. RESULTS: The ablation zone volume was greatest in group B (1.82+/-1.23 cm3), followed by group C (1.22+/-0.47 cm3), and then group A (0.48+/-0.33 cm3). The volumes for group B were significantly larger than the volumes for group A (p=0.030). There was no significant difference in the volumes between groups A and C (p=0.079) and between groups B and C (p=0.827). CONCLUSIONS: Both the usage of an ICW electrode and hepatic vascular occlusion effectively expanded the ablation zone. The use of an ICW electrode induced a larger ablation zone with easy handling compared with using hepatic vascular occlusion, although this difference was not statistically significant.
Animals ; Catheter Ablation ; Dogs ; Electrodes ; Handling (Psychology) ; Liver

The feasibility of virtual otoscopy (VO) imaging was evaluated in five dogs with experimentally induced otitis media, two control dogs, and two canine patients with otitis media. VO images of the tympanic cavity and ossicles were generated with commercially available software using raw computed tomography (CT) data. Eight out of 10 ears inoculated with pathogen exhibited obvious clinical signs associated with otitis externa. CT images revealed soft tissue density material occupying the tympanic bulla compatible with otitis media in three dogs with experimentally induced otitis media and two patients. No remarkable features were observed on the radiographs. Four different VO views (ear canal, tympanic bulla, eustachian tube, and ossicular chain) were created. Promontory, cochlea window, tympanic, and septum bulla as well as ossicles were easily and clearly distinguished except for the incus and stapes of the clinical patients. VO images were not more suitable than images created with conventional CT for accurately diagnosing otitis media in this study. However, it appears that VO could be more feasible for assessing the complex structure of the inner ear in dogs with fluid-filled tympanic cavities since fluid accumulation within the tympanic bulla did not affect the evaluation of bony tissue in the middle ear on VO images.
Animals ; Blister ; Cochlea ; Dogs ; Ear ; Ear, Inner ; Ear, Middle ; Eustachian Tube ; Incus ; Otitis Externa ; Otitis Media ; Otoscopy ; Stapes

The objectives of this study were to observe normal peristalsis and mixing (or segmental movements) and to evaluate an acupuncture stimulation (ST-36 and BL-27) on the intestinal (duodenum) motility in normal dogs using duplex Doppler sonography. Fifteen healthy Beagle dogs were used for this experiment after the administration of warm saline and pellet feeding. The duodenal motility was examined using duplex Doppler sonography. Six hours after the pellet feeding, an electroacupuncture stimulation at ST-36 and BL-27 was applied and the duodenal motility was examined using duplex Doppler sonography pre-stimulation, during the stimulation and post-stimulation. After saline and pellet administration, the duplex Doppler sonograms showed 3 types of peristalsis and a mixing type (or segmental movement) of duodenum motility. In the peristalsis types, most yielded high-amplitude signals which had one high peak (type-1), two high peaks (type-2), and three high peaks (type-3) and lasted more than 1.3 seconds. Mixing type of duodenum motility had weak signals and were lasted more than 1.5 seconds. Among the peristalsis types, the type 1 and type 2 were predominant and the type 3 was rarely observed. The frequency of intestinal motility stimulated by ST-36 acupoint was increased during the acupuncture stimulation (20% increase compared to the basal value) and decreased (7% decrease compared to the basal value) after stimulation. The frequency of intestinal motility stimulated by BL-27 acupoint was decreased during the acupuncture stimulation (31% decrease compared to the basal value) and increased (18% increase compared to the basal value) after stimulation. There was a significant increase(p<0.01) between the value found in during and the post-stimulation tests. We conclude that duplex Doppler studies permit a graphic visualization of intestinal movements which can be qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed using this technique, it is possible to evaluate the gastrointestinal motility after an acupuncture stimulation.
Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Dogs/*physiology ; Electroacupuncture/methods/*veterinary ; *Gastrointestinal Motility ; Intestine, Small/physiology/*ultrasonography ; Peristalsis ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex/methods/*veterinary

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) was carried out to determine the resistive index (RI) values of normal canine cerebral arteries and its reproducibility and to evaluate the change of cerebral vascular resistance following diuretics administration. RI values of rostral cerebral artery (RCA) were compared between fontanelle window and temporal window. Normal ranges and reproducibility of the RI values were examined in the rostal cerebral artery (RCA) and caudal cerebral artery (CCA). And after administration of diuretics, TCD-derived RI values were measured at RCA and CCA. Cerebral vascular RI values of RCA and CCA were 0.55 +/- 0.05 and 0.55 +/- 0.03 in the normal dogs, respectively. There was no significant difference of RI between male and female; between fontanelle window and temporal window. Reproducibility of RI measurements between intraobserver and interobserver were relatively high. The RI of RCA and CCA were significantly increased 15 minutes after mannitol administration (p<0.01) and returned to baseline values by 30 minutes, but it did not significantly change after furosemide and saline administration. The results suggest that TCD is a useful test which can obtain reproducible results from any window and has the advantage of detecting subtle changes in cerebral vascular resistance.
Animals ; Cerebral Arteries/drug effects/*ultrasonography ; Diuretics/pharmacology ; Dogs/*physiology ; Feasibility Studies ; Furosemide/pharmacology ; Mannitol/pharmacology ; Reference Values ; Reproducibility of Results ; Ultrasonography, Doppler/*veterinary ; Vascular Resistance/drug effects/*physiology

PURPOSE: Three dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning is being used widely for the treatment of patients with brain tumor. However, it takes much time to develop an optimal treatment plan, therefore, it is difficult to apply this technique to all patients. To increase the efficiency of this technique, we need to develop standard radiotherapy plans for each site of the brain. Therefore we developed several 3 dimensional conformal radiotherapy plans (3D plans) for tumors at each site of brain, compared them with each other, and with 2 dimensional radiotherapy plans. Finally model plans for each site of the brain were decided. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Imaginary tumors, with sizes commonly observed in the clinic, were designed for each site of the brain and drawn on CT images. The planning target volumes (PTVs) were as follows; temporal tumor-5.7x8.2x7.6 cm, suprasellar tumor-3x4x4.1 cm, thalamic tumor-3.1x5.9x3.7 cm, frontoparietal tumor-5.5x7x5.5 cm, and occipitoparietal tumor-5x5.5x5 cm. Plans using parallel opposed 2 portals and/or 3 portals including fronto-vertex and 2 lateral fields were developed manually as the conventional 2D plans, and 3D noncoplanar conformal plans were developed using beam's eye view and the automatic block drawing tool. Total tumor dose was 54 Gy for a suprasellar tumor, 59.4 Gy and 72 Gy for the other tumors. All dose plans (including 2D plans) were calculated using 3D plan software. Developed plans were compared with each other using dose-volume histograms (DVH), normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) and variable dose statistic values (minimum, maximum and mean dose, D5, V83, V85 and V95). Finally a best radiotherapy plan for each site of brain was selected. RESULTS: 1) Temporal tumor; NTCPs and DVHs of the normal tissue of all 3D plans were superior to 2D plans and this trend was more definite when total dose was escalated to 72 Gy (NTCPs of normal brain 2D plans : 27%, 8% 3D plans : 1%, 1%). Various dose statistic values did not show any consistent trend. A 3D plan using 3 noncoplanar portals was selected as a model radiotherapy plan. 2) Suprasellar tumor; NTCPs of all 3D plans and 2D plans did not show significant difference because the total dose of this tumor was only 54 Gy. DVHs of normal brain and brainstem were significantly different for different plans. D5, V85, V95 and mean values showed some consistent trend that was compatible with DVH. All 3D plans were superior to 2D plans even when 3 portals (fronto-vertex and 2 lateral fields) were used for 2D plans. A 3D plan using 7 portals was worse than plans using fewer portals. A 3D plan using 5 noncoplanar portals was selected as a model plan. 3) Thalamic tumor; NTCPs of all 3D plans were lower than the 2D plans when the total dose was elevated to 72 Gy. DVHs of normal tissues showed similar results. V83, V85, V95 showed some consistent differences between plans but not between 3D plans. 3D plans using 5 noncoplanar portals were selected as a model plan. 4) Parietal (fronto- and occipito-) tumors; all NTCPs of the normal brain in 3D plans were lower than in 2D plans. DVH also showed the same results. V83, V85, V95 showed consistent trends with NTCP and DVH. 3D plans using 5 portals for frontoparietal tumor and 6 portals for occipitoparietal tumor were selected as model plans. CONCLUSION: NTCP and DVH showed reasonable differences between plans and were thought to be useful for comparing plans. All 3D plans were superior to 2D plans. Best 3D plans were selected for tumors in each site of brain using NTCP, DVH and finally by the planner's decision.
Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain Stem ; Brain* ; Humans ; Rabeprazole ; Radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy, Conformal*

The magnetic resonance (MR) features of spinal epidural hemorrhage depending with the passage of time have a meaning in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study is to propose the characteristic MR image of spinal epidural hemorrhage using a lower field permanent magnet scanner in dogs. A total of 8 clinically normal beagle dogs, weighing about 9 kg, were allocated. After a baseline MR examination, spinal epidural hemorrhage was created. MR scanning was executed on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 using 0.25 Tesla low field MR. Transverse MR images were attained for image examination. T2W, T1W, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), short tau inversion recovery (STIR), and T2*-GRE sequences were used. Images were compared subjectively for signal transition assessment. Spinal epidural hemorrhage models were produced positively in 8 dogs at the T12 to L2 region. Initially, the spinal cord and epidural lesions were hyper-intense on T2W and T1W images. On T2W, FLAIR and STIR images, the spinal cord lesion was steadily hyperintense. No significant and consistent hypointense signal indicating hemorrhage was seen on T2*-GRE images. This study result suggests that relatively consistent hyperinstensity on T2 and FLAIR is observed for 30 days, meanwhile T2*-GRE imaging is less useful in hemorrhage detection.
Animals ; Dogs ; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal ; Hemorrhage ; Spinal Cord ; Veterinary Medicine

Background: This study investigated the effect of intrathecal Sec-O-glucosylhamaudol (SOG) on the p38/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)-related inflammatory responses, and autophagy in a spinal nerve ligation (SNL)-induced neuropathic pain model. Methods: The continuous administration of intrathecal SOG via an osmotic pump was performed on male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 50) with SNL-induced neuropathic pain. Rats were randomized into four groups after the 7th day following SNL and treated for 2 weeks as follows (each n = 10): Group S, sham-operated; Group D, 70% dimethylsulfoxide; Group SOG96, SOG at 96 μg/day; and Group SOG192, SOG at 192 μg/day. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) test was performed to assess neuropathic pain. Western blotting of the spinal cord (L5) was performed to measure changes in the expression of signaling pathway components, cytokines, and autophagy. Additional studies with naloxone challenge (n = 10) and cells were carried out to evaluate the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of SOG. Results: Continuous intrathecal SOG administration increased the PWT with p38/JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and NF-κB signaling pathway inhibition, which induced a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines with the concomitant downregulation of autophagy. Conclusions SOG alleviates mechanical allodynia, and its mechanism is thought to be related to the regulation of p38/JNK MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, associated with autophagy during neuroinflammatory processes after SNL.