The tarsus in dogs has a complex structure that makes its evaluation relatively challenging. Because an accurate diagnosis of the tarsus is difficult through basic examinations alone, imaging tests are essential. Previous studies have explored the anatomical and radiological features of the canine tarsus using several imaging modalities. However, the imaging utility of the tarsus across different modalities has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to visualize the tarsal structures using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, compare their utility, and propose suitable imaging modalities and conditions for evaluating specific tarsal structures. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound scans of the tarsus of four healthy dogs were performed, and two observers rated the utility of each image on a five-point scale. Although MRI is more beneficial for assessing the tarsal structures than ultrasound, ultrasound also appears clinically useful for evaluating the cranial tibialis muscle, deep digital flexor tendon, subcutaneous fat, joint space, and superficial digital flexor tendon. In addition, each structure of interest can be evaluated for optimal visibility using specific ultrasound sections, MRI sequences, and planes. In veterinary clinical practice, an initial assessment using ultrasound imaging with optimal visibility is required and if further evaluation is necessary, MRI examinations with optimal MRI sequences and planes can be performed.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic liver resection has gained much popularity in recent years, but relatively few centers have performed hepatectomies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients due to the technical difficulties faced with underlying liver cirrhosis. We now present our early experience with laparoscopic liver resection in HCC performed in a single institution. METHODS: From October 2003 until March 2009, 39 laparoscopic liver resections were performed on HCC patients among whom 26 had underlying liver cirrhosis. RESULTS: The location of the tumor was in the left lateral section in 15, segment 5 or 6 in 20, segment 4 in 3 and caudate lobe in 1. Resection involving less than a monosegment was done in 26 and more than 2 segments in 13. Tumor size ranged from 0.8 cm to 6.6 cm (median 2.35) and the resection margin from 0.1 to 6 cm (median 1.5 cm). All patients were either stage I (29) or II (10). There was no difference between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients in operation time (median 210 minutes, range 60~637), change of hematocrit value (4.8%, -1~19.6%), or hospital stay (8 days, 3~67 days). The median follow up duration was 15.1 months, and the 2-year recurrence free survival rate was 48.3%. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver resection in HCC with or without underlying cirrhosis seems to be feasible with minimal morbidity, especially in well selected cases with early stage HCC.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematocrit ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate