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Biomedical subjects

Amy S Kapatkin

Publications and source records attributed to Amy S Kapatkin.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of electrostimulated acupuncture on ground reaction forces and pain scores in dogs with chronic elbow joint arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether use of electrostimuluated acupuncture (ESA) would result in significant improvements in ground reaction forces and lameness scores in dogs with chronic elbow joint osteoarthritis secondary to elbow joint dysplasia. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial. ANIMALS: 9 dogs with chronic forelimb lameness and radiographic evidence of elbow joint osteoarthritis. PROCEDURES: All dogs had a 3-week control acclimation period during which gait analysis was performed weekly. Dogs then received ESA once weekly for 3 weeks followed by a sham treatment once weekly for 3 weeks or received the sham treatment followed by ESA. Gait analysis was repeated prior to each treatment, and owners were asked to provide pain scores by use of a visual analog scale method. RESULTS: Treatment (control, acupuncture, or sham) did not have a significant effect on ground reaction forces for any limb. Owners of 8 of the 9 dogs were able to correctly guess the time period when ESA was delivered. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that ESA did not have any significant effects on severity of lameness, as determined by measurement of ground reaction forces, or severity of pain, as determined by visual analog scale pain scores, in dogs with chronic elbow joint osteoarthritis secondary to elbow joint dysplasia.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

Evaluation of the Norberg angle threshold: a comparison of Norberg angle and distraction index as measures of coxofemoral degenerative joint disease susceptibility in seven breeds of dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the thresholds of 2 radiographic methods used to determine coxofemoral joint laxity in 7 breeds of dogs. ANIMALS: Three hundred and fifty clinically normal dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Hip radiographs from 7 breeds of dogs were randomly selected from a database. None of the dogs had radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease (DJD). Distraction index (DI) and Norberg angle (NA) were measured on these radiographs and compared with DI and NA thresholds for diagnosing DJD susceptibility derived from the literature and from evaluated Borzois. Dogs with a NA<105 degrees and a DI of < or =0.32 were considered false-positives and dogs with a NA> or =105 degrees and a DI of >0.32 were considered false-negatives. RESULTS: Mean age of all dogs was 22.9 months. Mean NA for all dogs was 99.37 degrees, and mean DI for all dogs was 0.44. Borzoi mean DI of was significantly less than the mean DI of the other 6 breeds. The highest (most hip laxity) Borzoi DI was 0.32, and the lowest (most hip laxity) Borzoi NA was 99 degrees. False-positive and false-negative diagnoses were identified in 6 of the 7 breeds. CONCLUSIONS: Using the NA threshold of 105 degrees (literature established threshold of susceptibility to DJD) resulted in a high percentage of false-negative and false-positive diagnoses. Breeds like the Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler would have large numbers of hip dysplasia susceptible dogs remain in the breeding population based on this NA threshold. False-positive diagnoses were common in breeds like the Australian Shepherd, Borzoi, and German Shepherd effectively eliminating hip dysplasia nonsusceptible dogs from the breeding population. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The NA was not an accurate predictor of DJD susceptibility in these 7 breeds of dogs when using a NA threshold of 105 degrees.

Animals↗

Risk factors for recurrence of clinical signs associated with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation in dogs: 229 cases (1994-2000).

OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors for recurrence of clinical signs associated with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) in dogs that had decompressive laminectomy without attempted prophylactic treatment of other disk spaces. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 229 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs that had decompressive laminectomy without prophylactic fenestration for a first episode of IVDD and were available for follow-up were reviewed. Information on 7 clinical and 8 radiographic potential risk factors were recorded. RESULTS: Clinical signs associated with recurrence of IVDD developed in 44 (19.2%) dogs. Ninety-six percent of recurrences developed within 3 years after surgery. Recurrence developed in 25% of Dachshunds and 15% of dogs of other breeds combined. Number of opacified disks was a significant risk factor for recurrence. Risk increased with number of opacified disks in an almost linear manner; each opacified disk increased risk by 1.4 times. Dogs with 5 or 6 opacified disks at the time of first surgery had a recurrence rate of 50%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When all likely episodes of recurrence are considered and a long follow-up period is achieved, true rate of recurrence of IVDD appears to be higher than in many previous reports. Dogs with multiple opacified disks at the time of first surgery should be considered a high-risk subpopulation.

Animals↗

Comparison of two radiographic techniques for evaluation of hip joint laxity in 10 breeds of dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hip joint laxity in 10 breeds of dogs via 2 radiographic techniques. ANIMALS: 500 clinically normal dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. PROCEDURE: Radiographs obtained via routine hip joint evaluations performed in sedated dogs of 10 popular breeds were randomly selected from a database. Measurements of distraction index (DI) and hip-extended index (HEI) on 1 hip joint radiograph randomly chosen from each dog were made. RESULTS: Mean age of dogs was 20.7 months. Mean HEI was 0.17 (range, 0.0 to 0.72) and mean DI was 0.44 (range, 0.07 to 0.96). Borzois had uniformly tight hip joints as judged by use of both methods and were considered the gold standard by which hip joint laxity was judged (all Borzois had DI < or = 0.32). Overall, DI was significantly greater than HEI. Within each breed, mean DI was always greater than mean HEI. Significant differences were detected among breeds for HEI; however, compared with DI, the magnitude of differences among breeds was less. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Distraction radiography detected the greatest range and magnitude of passive hip laxity in the 10 breeds of dogs. The difference in values between breeds known to have high prevalence of canine hip dysplasia and those in Borzois was greater for DI than for HEI. Breeds must be evaluated individually because of inherent differences in hip joint laxity.

Animals↗

In vivo optical properties of normal canine prostate at 732 nm using motexafin lutetium-mediated photodynamic therapy.

The optical properties (absorption [mu(a)], transport scattering [mu('s)] and effective attenuation [mu(eff)] coefficients) of normal canine prostate were measured in vivo using interstitial isotropic detectors. Measurements were made at 732 nm before, during and after motexafin lutetium (MLu)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT). They were derived by applying the diffusion theory to the in vivo peak fluence rates measured at several distances (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mm) from the central axis of a 2.5 cm cylindrical diffusing fiber (CDF). Mu(a) and mu('s) varied between 0.03-0.58 and 1.0-20 cm(-1), respectively. Mu(a) was proportional to the concentration of MLu.Mu(eff) varied between 0.33 and 4.9 cm(-1) (mean 1.3 +/- 1.1 cm(-1)), corresponding to an optical penetration depth (8 = 1/(mu(eff)) of 0.5-3 cm (mean 1.3 +/- 0.8 cm). The mean light fluence rate at 0.5 cm from the CDF was 126 +/- 48 mW/cm2 (N = 22) when the total power from the fiber was 375 mW (150 mW/cm). This study showed significant inter- and intraprostatic differences in the optical properties, suggesting that a real-time dosimetry measurement and feedback system for monitoring light fluences during treatment should be advocated for future PDT studies. However, no significant changes were observed before, during and after PDT within a single treatment site.

Animals↗

Gelatinase activity in synovial fluid and synovium obtained from healthy and osteoarthritic joints of dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in synovial fluid (SF) obtained from the joints of dogs with degenerative joint disease (DJD) secondary to various underlying conditions. SAMPLE POPULATION: 35 samples of SF obtained from 18 clinically normal (control) dogs and 34 samples of SF obtained from 17 dogs with DJD; dogs with DJD were from 2 populations (client-owned dogs and research dogs that had DJD secondary to the lysosomal storage disease mucopolysaccharidosis VII). PROCEDURE: MMP activity in samples of SF was semiquantitatively examined by use of gelatin or casein zymography. Western blot analysis was performed by use of antibodies for MMP-2 and MMP-9. In addition, in situ MMP activity was observed in sections of synovial membrane obtained from healthy and osteoarthritic joints. RESULTS: Samples of SF from osteoarthritic joints had higher MMP-2 activity and dramatically increased MMP-9 activity, compared with values for healthy joints. Substrate-overlay analyses indicated minimal gelatin-degrading activity in synoviocytes obtained from control dogs, whereas greater activity was seen in osteoarthritic synoviocytes, with additional activity in the underlying tissue. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Higher MMP-2 activity and dramatic increases in MMP-9 activity were associated with the osteoarthritic state, even though MMP-2 activity was detected in healthy joints. This study expands information on MMP production in SF of osteoarthritic joints in other species and documents the similarity of MMP activity patterns regardless of the cause of DJD.

Animals↗

Comparison of radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of appendicular osteosarcoma in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which imaging modality best determines the microscopic extent of primary appendicular osteosarcoma in amputated limbs in dogs. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 10 dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma. PROCEDURE: 10 dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma that did not receive neoadjuvent chemotherapy were treated by use of limb amputation. Amputated limbs were imaged by use of radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and examined microscopically to determine longitudinal extent of neoplastic cell involvement and length of associated intramedullary fibrosis. Changes detected by use of the various imaging studies were compared with the actual tumor length determined microscopically. Data were analyzed to determine which imaging technique most closely predicted tumor length. RESULTS: Measurements obtained by use of craniocaudal radiographic views were most accurate at predicting tumor length but underestimated tumor length substantially in 1 limb and slightly in another limb. Measurements made by use of CT were most accurate at predicting tumor length when intramedullary fibrosis was taken into account but underestimated tumor length in 1 limb. Measurements made by use of MRI were least accurate but did not underestimate tumor length in any of the limbs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although radiography is used in diagnosis of osteosarcoma in dogs, additional imaging studies to confirm the extent of neoplasia prior to limb-sparing ostectomy may be beneficial. Underestimation of tumor length would be associated with higher incidence of incomplete excision and local tumor recurrence.

Amputation, Surgical↗

Feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective review of 160 cases (1985-2001).

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of 160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment, survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 +/- 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6% of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats (7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The most common tumor types were meningioma (n = 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n = 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n = 14, 8.8%), and gliomas (n = 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n = 42, 26.2%), circling (n = 36, 22.5%), and seizures (n = 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n = 34, 21.2%). The tumor was considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.

Age Factors↗

Positive intraoperative cultures and canine total hip replacement: risk factors, periprosthetic infection, and surgical success.

The results of closing intraoperative cultures from 27 canine total hip replacements (THR) were reviewed. The relationship between these culture results and presurgical and surgical factors, and the short- and long-term success of THR were assessed. Eleven out of 27 cases had a positive culture, but none of these 11 cases were diagnosed with periprosthetic infection at follow-up examination. The duration of the clinical signs of hip disease prior to THR was significantly greater for those cases with a positive culture (P=0.034). The incidence of positive cultures was not related to surgical success.

Animals↗

Association of cauda equina compression on magnetic resonance images and clinical signs in dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to examine the lumbosacral spine of 27 dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. Four normal dogs were also similarly imaged. Compression of the soft-tissue structures within the vertebral canal at the lumbosacral space was assessed in two ways: by measuring dorsoventral diameter on T1-weighted sagittal images and cross-sectional area on transverse images. The severity of the clinical signs was compared to the severity of cauda equina compression. No significant correlation was found. It is concluded that degree of compression as determined by MRI at time of presentation is independent of disease severity.

Animals↗

Intravascular lymphoma involving the central and peripheral nervous systems in a dog.

A 5-year-old, castrated male mixed-breed dog was presented for paraparesis, ataxia, hyperesthesia, and thrombocytopenia of 5 months' duration and recurrent seizures during the preceding 2 weeks. Multifocal neurological, ophthalmological, pulmonary, and cardiac diseases were identified. Magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis supported a tentative diagnosis of neoplastic or inflammatory disease. A computed tomography-guided biopsy provided both cytopathological and histopathological evidence of intravascular lymphoma. The disease progressed despite chemotherapy with prednisone, L-asparginase, and vincristine. Postmortem histopathological examinations suggested intravascular lymphoma in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as in multiple other organ systems. This is the first description of an antemortem diagnosis and treatment of intravascular lymphoma involving the central nervous system of a dog.

Animals↗