Biomedical subjects

R M Kirberger

Publications and source records attributed to R M Kirberger.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Vacuum phenomenon in equine carpal, metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints.

In order to establish the incidence of vacuum phenomenon in horses' carpal, metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints, stress-flexed radiographs were made of normal joints, joints with known pathology and in anaesthetised horses with joints under traction. Focal intra-articular radiolucencies were identified in normal stress-flexed carpal, metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. These radiolucencies can be confused with those associated with pathological conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Elbow dysplasia in the dog: pathophysiology, diagnosis and control.

Elbow dysplasia is a non-specific term denoting abnormal development of the elbow. Elbow dysplasia encompasses the clinical and radiographic manifestation of ununited anconeal process, fragmented medical coronoid process, osteochondritis dissecans, erosive cartilage lesions and elbow incongruity. The net result is elbow arthrosis, which may be clinically inapparent or result in marked lameness. These conditions may be diagnosed by means of routine or special radiographic views and other imaging modalities, or the precise cause of the arthrosis or lameness may remain undetermined. Breeds most commonly affected are the rottweiler, Bernese mountain dog, Labrador and golden retriever and the German shepherd dog. Certain breeds are more susceptible to a particular form of elbow dysplasia and more than 1 component may occur simultaneously. The various conditions are thought to result from osteochondrosis of the articular or physeal cartilage that results in disparate growth of the radius and ulna. Heritability has been proven for this polygenic condition and screening programmes to select suitable breeding stock have been initiated in several countries and have decreased the incidence of elbow dysplasia.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1997

Right atrial myxosarcoma in a dog.

A case of right atrial myxosarcoma is described in a Staffordshire bull terrier with a history of weight loss, exercise intolerance and collapse. The diagnosis of an intracavitary cardiac tumour was made on echocardiography. The dog was euthanased. Secondary spread to the lungs and lymph nodes was present. Myxoma is one of the rare intracavitary cardiac tumours and this case is believed to be the 1st report of its more malignant form in the dog.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Radiological appearance of air introduced during equine regional limb anaesthesia.

Twelve horses were injected intra-articularly into the metacarpophalangeal joint and extra-articularly in the region of the lateral palmar digital nerve with 1 ml air and local anaesthetic to simulate gas accidentally introduced during regional anaesthesia. Half the horses underwent limited exercise after which all horses were radiographed at 15 and 45 min and then every 24 h until all evidence of gas had disappeared. Intra-articular gas appeared as gas capped radiolucencies (GCR) in the proximal aspect of the joint. Extra-articular gas appeared as linear radiolucencies (LR) which initially tended to migrate proximally. There was no significant difference in gas resorption in exercised and nonexercised horses. All gas was resorbed within 96 h with most of the gas already gone at 48 h.

Air↗

PubMed1995

Radiographic artifacts.

Radiographic artifacts commonly occur, particularly with hand processing. The artifacts may originate between the X-ray tube and the cassette as extraneous material on the patient or contamination of positioning aids, or result from debris within the cassette, or damage to, or staining of the screens. These artifacts are white to grey, may have a constant or different position on follow-up radiographs, and their size and shape are reflective of the inciting cause. A number of artifacts may occur in the darkroom during handling, developing, fixing and drying of the film. White to shiny artifacts are caused by the contamination of films with fixer, inability of developer to reach parts of the film or loss of emulsion from the developed film. Black artifacts result from improper handling or storage of films, resulting in exposure to light, or from pressure marks or static electricity discharges. Dropped levels of hand-processing chemicals may result in a variety of tide-marks on films. Most radiographic artifacts can be prevented by proper storage and handling of films and by optimal darkroom technique.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Pulsed wave Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of intracardiac blood flow in normal sheep.

The blood flow velocities and flow patterns were evaluated in normal sheep across the four cardiac valves using pulsed wave spectral Doppler echocardiography. Merino ewes (n = 20) aged between 16 and 61 months with bodyweights ranging between 51 to 72 kg were evaluated. The sheep were fully conscious and required no sedation. The mean peak velocities for the left atrioventricular, right atrioventricular, aortic and pulmonary valves were 68.4, 51.9, 99.1 and 92.7 cm s-1, respectively. Additionally the wave forms were described and mean velocities and a variety of flow variables determined for each of these flow areas. The mean left atrioventricular valve E:A ratio was under 1 which differs from humans and dogs. Aortic and pulmonary flow variables were compared to each other.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Atrial septal defect in a dog: the value of Doppler echocardiography.

A four-month-old German Shepherd Dog was presented with an atrial septal defect. An estimated pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio in the range of 2,5 to 2,9:1 was determined by means of Doppler echocardiography. This technique allows for the non-invasive determination of the Qp:Qs ratio by calculating aortic versus pulmonary artery cardiac output or by determining mean trans-atrial septal velocities. In addition, the flow patterns across the valves are characterised and the direction of the shunt determined. Atrial septal defect is reviewed with special reference to the value of Doppler echocardiography.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Mitral valve E point to ventricular septal separation in the dog.

Mitral valve E point to septal separation (EPSS) was measured (mean = 3.27 +/- 1.29 mm) in healthy non-anaesthetised Beagle and German Shepherd dogs (n = 50). The minimum and maximum values recorded were 1 and 6mm respectively. Breed, age, sex, mass and heart-rate had no significant effect on the EPSS value.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Congenital malformation and variation of the lumbar vertebrae in a dog.

The clinical, radiological and anatomical changes in a 6 1/2-month-old Fox Terrier bitch with congenital malformation and variation of the lumbar vertebrae are described. The dog has 5 lumbar vertebrae and the first lumbar vertebra was malformed resulting in a dorsal hemivertebra, kyphosis and spinal cord compression. The possible pathogenesis of the dorsal hemivertebra is mentioned.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Developmental kyphoscoliosis in a foal.

The clinical, radiological and anatomical changes in a yearling foal with kyphoscoliosis are described. The lesion was due to a primary malformation of the eleventh, twelfth, fourteenth and fifteenth thoracic vertebral bodies resulting in hemivertebrae. Secondary changes occurred in the laminae, pedicles, spinous and articular processes of the affected vertebrae and the adjacent vertebrae. The possible pathogenesis and differential diagnosis are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hydromyelia in the dog.

Hydromyelia is a dilation of the spinal cord central canal. In man this may be due to congenital malformations such as Dandy-Walker syndrome and Chiari malformations or may be acquired as result of infection, trauma or neoplasia. In dogs hydromyelia may be accidentally diagnosed during routine cisterna magna myelography. Hydromyelia, and its possible etiology, may be confirmed by means of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Three dogs with hydromyelia due to differing etiologies are described.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Radiographic aspects of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in the miniature Dachshund.

The thoracic radiographic changes of Pneumocystis carinii in 7 miniature Dachshunds were reviewed. The dogs were 7-12 months old and presented with polypnea, exercise intolerance and clinical signs suggestive of immune-incompetence. P. carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in all the dogs using transtracheal aspirate cytology and confirmed at postmortem in 3 dogs that died. Radiographically, diffuse pulmonary changes were present and varied from a mild interstitial and bronchial pattern to an alveolar pattern. Radiographic evidence of cor pulmonale was present in 1 dog. The most severe radiographic changes were seen in 2 of the dogs that died.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Radiograph quality evaluation for exposure variables--a review.

Good quality radiographs are essential for making accurate diagnoses. Many factors influence the quality of radiographs including the x-ray machine specifications and settings, the darkroom environment and processing, and the choice of ancillary x-ray equipment (cassette properties, film/screen selection, use and properties of a grid). In compiling a technique chart, many of these variables are standardized so as to provide dependable guidelines for selecting the appropriate exposure settings (mAs and kVp) for a radiographic study. The systematic evaluation of image blackening, peripheral blackening, and the visibility of the gross image detail and contrast will facilitate the development of a technique chart as well as determining the source of the problem and necessary exposure setting changes for radiographs that are suboptimal. A flow diagram is described that will assist with the systematic evaluation of radiographic quality and provide guidelines for correcting exposure errors.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship of cervical spinal cord diameter to vertebral dimensions: a radiographic study of normal dogs.

Cervical spinal cord abnormalities are often unapparent on myelographic studies, because no normal values for cervical spinal cord diameter are currently available. The purpose of this study was to establish, myelographically, the normal sagittal diameter of the cervical spinal cord in large and small breed dogs and its relationship to the sagittal diameter of the vertebral canal and sagittal height/length of the corresponding vertebral bodies. Forty-one adult dogs underwent cervical radiography and myelography. Spinal cord and vertebral canal sagittal diameter, vertebral body height at C2 to 5, body length at C3 to 5, and dorsal spine length of C2 were measured on lateral views. Ratios of spinal cord:vertebral canal diameter, spinal cord:body height, and spinal cord:body length/spine were calculated, and a normal range was determined for small and large breed dogs. The spinal cord:vertebral canal ratios showed that small breeds have a higher cervical cord-to-canal ratio than large breeds. The mean values and ranges of 14 ratios are reported. The ratios of spinal cord:body length at C2 to 4 in small breeds and spinal cord:body height at C3 to 5 in large breeds were found to be the most accurate for assessing spinal cord sagittal diameter. These normal ranges would allow quantitative and objective evaluation of the cervical spinal cord by myelography and early identification of dogs with altered spinal cord diameter, which could be further evaluated by means of alternative imaging techniques.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic resonance imaging of otitis media in a dog.

Otitis media/interna was diagnosed in a 20-month-old German shepherd with the assistance of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The MR images were acquired primarily to exclude a brain lesion responsible for vestibular signs. No brain lesion was detected, but obvious signs of chronic changes in the left bulla and external ear canal were confirmed. Thickening of the epithelium and soft tissue surrounding the external ear canal and a laminated appearance of high and low T2 intensities in the tympanic bulla's mucosa were present. The hypointense lines were suspected to be fibrous tissue, indicating chronic changes. This report suggests that MR imaging may serve as a useful imaging tool for otitis media and that it supplies information not obtained with radiography or computed tomography.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatic ultrasonography and pathological findings in dogs with hepatocutaneous syndrome: new concepts.

In dogs, hepatocutaneous syndrome (superficial necrolytic dermatitis) belongs to a group of syndromes in which cutaneous signs signal the presence of systemic disease. It is characterized by parakeratosis, superficial necrolysis, and basilar hyperplasia of the epidermis, in association with an unusual hepatopathy accompanied by certain metabolic derangements. Hepatocutaneous syndrome was diagnosed in 3 dogs on the basis of typical dermatologic changes and clinicopathologic findings. Hepatic ultrasonography revealed a hyperechoic network surrounding hypoechoic areas of parenchyma, resulting in a Swiss cheese-like appearance. The ultrasonographic image corresponded to the pathological findings. The liver had a nodular appearance, both grossly and microscopically; this was attributed to collapse of the areas of parenchyma surrounding the nodules, rather than to the cirrhosis and/or nodular hyperplasia reported previously.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Canine multiple cartilaginous exostoses: unusual manifestations and a review of the literature.

Multiple cartilaginous exostoses were diagnosed in a two-year-old Great Dane and a four-month-old border collie. Clinically, the Great Dane showed only mild discomfort, while the border collie exhibited tetraparesis due to cervicothoracic compression. Unusual features in the Great Dane were exostoses that bridged physes, with progression after skeletal maturity. The border collie puppy's exostoses resembled tumoral calcinosis radiographically. Limb exostoses in this puppy often were para-articular, and most were not attached to the underlying bone. These features resembled metachondromatosis in humans. Analysis of previously reported cases of multiple cartilaginous exostoses indicated that the prognosis is guarded to poor.

Animals↗