S Finn-Bodner | PubMed Health

PubMed1997

Assessment of current techniques for determining tracheal luminal stenosis in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of current antemortem and postmortem techniques for determining tracheal luminal stenosis. ANIMALS: 15 dogs. PROCEDURE: Percentage of tracheal luminal stenosis (PTLS) was determined by 6 methods, using measurements obtained by radiography, tracheoscopy, and necropsy after selected tracheostomy techniques were performed. To calculate PTLS, dorsoventral tracheal diameter was measured from preoperative and postoperative lateral cervical radiographic views. Preoperative or normal tracheal segments adjacent to the stenotic area were used to obtain normal tracheal diameter measurements. Planimetrically determined cross-sectional area (CSA), obtained from pre- and postoperative tracheoscopic photographs, was used to calculate PTLS. The CSA of tracheal specimens obtained at necropsy was determined, using the formula for an ellipse. Percentage of luminal stenosis was calculated, using CSA of the stenotic site and of segments craniad and caudad to the site obtained at necropsy or at surgery. All methods were compared with the control method of planimetrically determined CSA of sections obtained at necropsy of the tracheostomy and segments craniad and caudad to the site. RESULTS: Correlation was poor for radiographic and tracheoscopic techniques (r = 0.146 to 0.458, P > 0.05) The formula for an ellipse accurately predicted PTLS when measurements obtained at surgery (r = 0.516, P = 0.049) or segments craniad and caudad (r = 0.853, P < 0.001) to the site were used. CONCLUSION: Antemortem methods of assessing PTLS did not correlate with control planimetric methods. Methods using CSA determined by tracheal diameter were weakly correlated to control planimetric techniques. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Accurate measurement of the degree of tracheal stenosis cannot be made in clinical patients using current techniques.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Use of streptokinase in four dogs with thrombosis.

Four dogs with thrombosis were referred for diagnostic testing and were subsequently treated by the use of streptokinase. The range of duration of clinical signs associated with thrombosis was 6 to 120 days. Causes of thrombosis were heart disease (1 dog), protein-losing nephropathy and hyperadrenocorticism (1), hyperadrenocorticism (1), and idiopathic (1). Possible factors that predisposed dogs to hypercoagulability included hypertension (2 dogs) and diabetes mellitus (1). All dogs were treated for underlying disease by use of supportive care. The first dog was treated with a loading dose of 250,000 U of streptokinase, i.v., with a subsequent maintenance dosage of 100,000 U/h, i.v., and also was treated with anticoagulant. The subsequent 3 dogs were treated with a loading dose of 90,000 U of streptokinase, i.v., and maintenance dosage of 45,000 U/ h, i.v., at various intervals. These dogs also were treated with anticoagulant. Three dogs had minor hemorrhage as an adverse effect to streptokinase infusion, but they did not require treatment for the hemorrhage. Complete resolution of the thrombus was observed in 3 dogs, and partial resolution of the thrombus was observed in the other dog. In all dogs, partial or complete resolution of clinical signs associated with thrombosis was seen. Streptokinase may be an effective treatment for dogs with thrombosis.

Adrenocortical Hyperfunction↗

PubMed1993

Ultrasonography.

The basic principles of diagnostic ultrasonography are discussed. Normal and abnormal ultrasonographic appearances of the major organs are presented in tables and with illustrations. A description of the current status of neurosonology with illustrations of hydrocephalus is also presented.

Animals↗