Utility of MRI for Characterizing Articular Cartilage Pathology in Dogs with Medial Coronoid Process Disease

Development of Real-Time Kinematic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (kMRI) Techniques for Studying the Kinematics of the Spine and Joints in Dogs-Preliminary Study on Cadavers

Simple Summary

Many orthopedic and neurological pathologic conditions can potentially lead to or be affected by joint instability. Standard magnetic resonance imaging, as a static technique that examine joints and body parts in functional rest, can underestimate or overlook key diagnostic findings. As a result, kinematic magnetic resonance imaging techniques were developed to evaluate joints and body parts under stress and load conditions or during movement. In human medicine, the real-time acquisition technique is one of the modalities for acquiring kinematic magnetic resonance imaging, and has gained popularity in recent years. This proof-of-concept study was designed to test the feasibility of real-time acquisition techniques in veterinary medicine for the first time. Based on the results of this preliminary cadaveric study, real-time kinematic magnetic resonance imaging may be a feasible and valuable procedure to be applied to the canine cervical spine and stifle joints. Moreover, given the ease of execution and the concise duration of acquisitions, it could be applied in a regular standard protocol MRI with little additional effort, risk, and cost. In this proof-of-concept study, a good visualization of the canine cervical spine and stifle joint was achieved, showing the potential of real-time acquisition techniques for clinical and research applications.

Abstract

Kinematic MRI (kMRI) is a novel human imaging technique that couples the excellent soft tissue contrast and multiplanar capabilities of traditional MRI with kinematic potential. The study’s goals are: (1) testing the feasibility of spinal cord and joints real-time kMRI; and (2) evaluating the quality of these kinematic studies as a new diagnostic option in veterinary medicine. Standard and real-time kinematic MRI were performed on cervical spine, elbow, and stifle joints of seven cadavers. Studies were repeated after a surgical insult aimed to create a certain degree of joint instability. A total of 56 MRI were performed—7 cervical spinal tracts, 3 elbow joints, and 4 stifle joints were examined. The technique was feasible in all the three regions examined. The images were considered of excellent quality for the stifle joint, good to fair for the cervical spine, whereas two of three elbow studies were considered to have unacceptable image quality. Additionally, real-time kMRI provided good to excellent information about stifle instability. Therefore we consider kMRI a promising technique in veterinary medicine. Further studies and an in vivo setting are needed to increase the quality of the kMRI images, and to fully evaluate clinical usefulness.

Orthopedic Imaging: A Practical Clinical Guide

Many imaging options are available to the practitioner both in-house and on a referral basis to help make a definitive diagnosis for orthopedic injuries. To guide treatment, a complete understanding of the nature and extent of the injury is ideal. While a thorough orthopedic physical examination is the first step, a complete diagnostic work-up will include at least one and often more than one imaging modality. The goal of this article is to discuss the imaging options for some of the more common orthopedic issues encountered in dogs to help guide the practitioner through the selection of which should be considered to accomplish a diagnosis.

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.

Articular cartilage lesions associated with complete lateral meniscal tears in the dog

OBJECTIVE

To describe articular cartilage (AC) lesions associated with complete lateral meniscal tears in dogs.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational series.

ANIMALS

Seventeen dogs with arthroscopic evidence of a complete lateral meniscal tear and associated AC lesions.

METHODS

Medical records of dogs with arthroscopic evidence of complete lateral meniscal tear and associated AC lesions between March 2006 and December 2017 were examined for arthroscopic findings.

RESULTS

The cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) was intact in 11 of 17 dogs, partially ruptured but competent in 4 of 17 dogs, and completely ruptured in 2 of 17 dogs. All dogs had grossly normal caudal cruciate ligament, medial meniscus, and AC of the medial compartment. In each dog, a complete radial tear of the caudal body of the lateral meniscus was associated with degenerative osteoarthritis (OA) of the lateral compartment of the stifle. The Outerbridge score of the lateral tibial condyle and lateral femoral condyle was 5 of 5 in 15 dogs, 3 of 5 in 1 dog, and 4 of 5 in 1 dog.

CONCLUSION

Dogs with complete tears of the lateral meniscus developed degenerative OA of the lateral compartment of the stifle leading to AC loss and clinical dysfunction.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Complete lateral meniscal tears may occur as isolated injuries in dogs with a functional CrCL.