Complications associated with bone marrow sampling in dogs and cats

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence of complications during bone marrow sampling and associated patient and procedural factors in dogs and cats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective cohort study, records were evaluated to identify dogs and cats that had bone marrow sampling between 2012 and 2019. Data including signalment, the presence of specific clinicopathological findings, anatomical site of bone marrow sampling, number of attempts, diagnostic quality of sampling, analgesia protocol and complications postprocedure were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 131 dogs and 29 cats were included in the study. Complications were recorded in 22 of 160 (14%) of cases. Pain was the most common complication of bone marrow sampling in 20 of 22 (91%) of cases with bruising reported in the remaining patients. A local anaesthetic block was used in 98 of 160 (61%) of patients.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Excluding pain, complications associated with bone marrow sampling were rare and no clear association were detected between patient or procedural variables. Haemorrhage and infection are rare complications in dogs and cats when thrombocytopenia and neutropenia are present. Peri-procedure analgesia is strongly recommended to minimise complications.

The Gore-Tex anterior cruciate ligament prosthesis. Two versus three year results

A prospective clinical study of the results of prosthetic ligament replacement of the ACL with the Gore-Tex polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis was undertaken. Thirty-three (80%) of 41 patients were available at a minimum 36 month followup (mean, 48 months; range, 36 to 62). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed an 82% probability of survival of the polytetrafluoroethylene ligament at the 48 month followup. When compared to the same data at a minimum 24 month followup, the results appeared to have deteriorated somewhat over time. Three possible "predictors" of failure at later followup were identified: preoperative subjective symptoms of swelling, subjective symptoms of giving way at 2 years, and an increased anterior drawer sign at 2 years.

Clinical comparison of freeze-dried and fresh frozen patellar tendon allografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of freeze-dried compared to fresh frozen allograft tissue used as a substitute for a ruptured ACL of the knee. In addition, the incidence of any graft rejection phenomena was recorded. Forty-one patients with ACL deficient knees underwent reconstructive surgery using a patellar bone-tendon-bone allograft that had been freeze-dried (Group 1, N = 14) or fresh frozen (Group 2, N = 27). All patients underwent the same implant technique and rehabilitation program. Followup ranged from 24 to 36 months. The evaluation consisted of subjective, objective, and instrumented laxity testing (KT-1000, MEDmetric, San Diego, CA; and Genucom, FARO Medical Technologies, Inc., Montreal, Canada). There were 31 males and 10 females. Eleven (79%) patients in Group 1 thought their knee was "normal" or "improved," and 25 (93%) in Group 2 thought the same. In addition, 10 (71%) patients in Group 1 denied any "giving way," compared to 26 (96%) in Group 2. The mean Lysholm knee score in Group 1 was 86/100 (range, 22 to 100) compared to 92/100 (range, 59 to 100). Clinical examination included the Lachman test and tests for anterior drawer sign and pivot shift. Postoperatively, Group 1 patients had the following results: Lachman test--seven Grade 0, six Grade 1, one Grade 2; anterior drawer sign--eight Grade 0, five Grade 1, one Grade 2; and pivot shift--seven Grade 0, five "trace," and two "present."(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Lateral atlantooccipital dislocation: case report

A case of lateral atlantooccipital dislocation is presented, and its successful management is outlined, demonstrating the importance of the physical examination and the utilization of computed tomography. Open reduction and stabilization with direct visualization of the spinal axis is the preferred method of treatment.

Neurofibromatosis: lymphoscintigraphic observations

The authors describe the lymphoscintigraphic findings in a 4-year-old child with neurofibromatosis, the principal manifestation of which was elephantiasis neuromatosa involving the right lower extremity. The lymphoscintigram demonstrated dilated lymphatics and enlarged lymph nodes.