Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging study of a normal tarsal joint in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris)

Cross Sectional Anatomy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Juvenile Atlantic Puffin Head (Aves, Alcidae, Fratercula arctica)

The Atlantic puffin is a medium-sized seabird with black and white plumage and orange feet. It is distributed mainly along the northern Atlantic Ocean, and due, among other reasons, to human activities, it is in a threatened situation and classified as a vulnerable species according to the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In this study, we used a total of 20 carcasses of juvenile Atlantic puffins to perform MRI, as well as anatomical cross-sections. Thus, an adequate description of the head was made, providing valuable information that could be helpful as a diagnostic tool for veterinary clinicians, who increasingly treat these birds in zoos, rehabilitation centers, and even in the wild.

Cranial Investigations of Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata) by Anatomical Cross-Sections and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This paper aimed to describe an atlas of the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) head by applying advanced imaging techniques such as MRI. Furthermore, by combining the images acquired through these techniques with anatomical sections, we obtained an adequate description of the structures that form the CNS and associated structures of this species. This anatomical information could serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for the clinical evaluation of different pathological processes in porcupines, such as abscesses, skull malformations, fractures, and neoplasia.

3T Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography of the bovine carpus

Background

Lameness in cattle is a major health problem and causes great economic losses. Carpal injury is a common cause of forelimb lameness in cattle. Radiography and/or ultrasonography of the carpus is a challenge due to complex anatomy of the joint. Additional imaging using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be indispensable for reaching a decisive diagnosis. Precise evaluation of the clinical CT and MRI images necessitates an in-depth knowledge of the normal CT and MRI tissue variants. Therefore, our purpose was to provide a detailed description of the normal CT and MRI appearance of the osseous and soft tissue structures of twelve cadaveric bovine carpi using CT and 3 Tesla MRI. Carpi were frozen, transected in sagittal, dorsal and transverse planes then adjoined to their corresponding CT and MRI images.

Results

The clinically significant articular and peri-articular structures of the bovine carpus were identified and characterized on the CT and MRI images. CT images provided a remarkable delineation of the cortical, subchondral, and cancellous bone. The high-field 3 Tesla MRI offered high definition and distinction of the delicate soft tissues of the bovine carpus.

Conclusions

3 Tesla high-field MRI offers new opportunities in soft tissue tomography but cannot be compared with CT in terms of bone imaging. Clinicians have to determine whether CT, MRI or both imaging techniques are required in clinical situations.

Anatomic Study of the Elbow Joint in a Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Gross Dissections

The objective of our research was to describe the normal appearance of the bony and soft tissue structures of the elbow joint in a cadaver of a male mature Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) scanned via MRI. Using a 0.2 Tesla magnet, Spin-echo (SE) T1-weighting, and Gradient-echo short tau inversion recovery (GE-STIR), T2-weighting pulse sequences were selected to generate sagittal, transverse, and dorsal planes. In addition, gross dissections of the forelimb and its elbow joint were made. On anatomic dissections, all bony, articular, and muscular structures could be identified. The MRI images allowed us to observe the bony and many soft tissues of the tiger elbow joint. The SE T1-weighted MR images provided good anatomic detail of this joint, whereas the GE-STIR T2-weighted MR pulse sequence was best for synovial cavities. Detailed information is provided that may be used as initial anatomic reference for interpretation of MR images of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) elbow joint and in the diagnosis of disorders of this region.