Accuracy of computerized tomographic evaluation of canine radio-ulnar incongruence in vitro

Vet Surg. 2005 Mar-Apr;34(2):108-13. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2005.00018.x.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of linear measurements obtained from computer tomography (CT) images of staged radio-ulnar incongruence in a canine cadaver forelimb model.

Study design: CT evaluation of induced progressive radio-ulnar incongruence in canine cadaveric forelimbs.

Sample population: Eight cadaveric canine left forelimbs.

Procedure: A type 2 external skeletal fixator (ESF) with linear motors was attached to the radius in 8 cadaveric left canine forelimbs. Contiguous incremental and helical CT images of the proximal radio-ulnar articulation were acquired in the transverse, sagittal and dorsal planes. The radius was shortened by 1, 2, and 4 mm increments and scanning protocols were repeated at each increment. Digital caliper and CT image analysis measured the progressive change in distance between 2 marking spheres and the epiphyseal bone surfaces of the radio-ulnar articulation. Statistical analysis of measurements from incremental and helical CT acquisitions, and direct and reformatted images were compared with inter-sphere distance using Pearson product moment correlation coefficients.

Results: The reformatted incremental acquisition series at the mid-coronoid in the oblique plane had the highest correlation coefficient (r-value) at 0.908. The mid-coronoid in the dorsal plane had the second highest r-value (0.856). The coronoid incisure in the sagittal plane had an r-value of 0.826. The reformatted incremental acquisition series at the coronoid incisure in the oblique plane had the lowest r-value, 0.592.

Conclusion: Measurement of radioulnar incongruence may be best performed using reformatted incremental acquisition CT in the mid-coronoid region in an oblique plane.

Clinical relevance: Use of the technique reported in this study may enable determination of the association, if any, between radioulnar incongruence and developmental diseases of the canine elbow.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadaver
  • Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dog Diseases / etiology
  • Dogs
  • External Fixators / veterinary
  • Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
  • Joint Dislocations / complications
  • Joint Dislocations / diagnostic imaging
  • Joint Dislocations / veterinary*
  • Osteoarthritis / etiology
  • Osteoarthritis / veterinary
  • Radius / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / standards
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary*
  • Ulna / diagnostic imaging*