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Object and Purpose: The purpose of this first-time long-term observational study was to evaluate the changes of the caudal lumbar spine at the locations L5/6, L6/7, and L7/S1 in 5 German shepherd dogs over a 6-year time period using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The dogs had a mean age of 26 months at the time of the first examination. In addition, it was evaluated whether a breeding examination, with regard to disc degeneration, is justified in young dog., Material and Methods: The locations L7/S1, L6/7, and L5/6 were examined in more detail with regard to their signal intensity changes, the facet joint angle changes in dorsal (dors) and transverse (trans) planes, and disc surface changes in sagittal (sag) and transverse (trans) reconstruction planes with CT and MRT in 2015 and 2021. All data were collected computer-based and analyzed statistically. Subsequently, the results were compared to the measured signal intensity and to the subjective disc degeneration grading according to Seiler used in practice., Results: Over the period of 6 years a significant loss of the measured signal intensity of the intervertebral discs in the transverse plane and an overall facet joint widening in the transverse plane of 0.54° as well as in the dorsal plane of 1.8° was evident. In addition, there was no evidence of a relationship between the size of the facet joint angle and the degree of disc degeneration. Furthermore, regardless of the initial degree of degeneration, the discs showed low signal intensity and higher Seiler grade during follow-up., Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: The results of the present study group indicate that an inconspicuous condition of the lumbar intervertebral discs at the time of the initial breeding examination in the young dog does not allow an accurate prediction of the subsequent degree of degeneration and that there are ongoing remodeling processes at the facet joints even in healthy German shepherd dogs., Competing Interests: Die Autoren erklären, dass keine Interessenkonflikte bestehen., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to determine the radiographic sensitivity in detecting medial coronoid disease (MCD), using computed tomography (CT) as reference in dogs presented for an official second opinion, and to compare the medial coronoid process (MCP) in fragmented and fissured MCP as well as those unaffected by MCD., Materials and Methods:  The data of dogs, presented for official second opinion radiographs and CT, were reviewed by three board-certified observers and in accordance with the International Elbow Working Group guidelines regarding MCD. Radiographic delineation, radiopacity and Hounsfield Units (HU) of the MCP were recorded additionally and the correlation between radiography and CT was investigated., Results:  Sensitivity and specificity of radiography compared with CT yielded values of 83.6% for the former and 83.5% for the latter. False-negative grading in radiography correlated significantly ( p  = 0.0001) with a present fissure line in CT. The mean delineation ( p  = 0.03) and mean HU of fragmented MCP ( p  = 0.0045) were significantly reduced compared with fissured MCP and no significant differences in measured HU for fissured MCP were detected in comparison to elbows unaffected by MCD., Conclusion:  The results of the present study show substantial agreement between radiography and CT in second opinion cases. However, sensitivity is reduced compared with not preselected cases. A present fissure line in CT was significantly associated with a false-negative grading in radiography. Therefore, CT imaging of the elbows is strongly recommended in cases of appeal., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

In male small ruminants, voiding disturbances are not uncommon. A precise knowledge of the underlying disease is essential for prognostic evaluation as well as for a decision concerning the therapeutic approach. Common reasons for voiding disturbances in the male small ruminant are obstructive urolithiasis, traumata of the penis or inflammatory processes within the urethra or urinary bladder. The diagnostic method of choice - in addition to clinical examination - is diagnostic imaging. Because radiology is not always possible under field conditions, the aim of this article is a detailed presentation of ultrasonography of the distal urethra of the male lamb., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Schattauer GmbH.)

In a 9-year-old Yorkshire terrier a cyst of the respiratory epithelium of the nasopharynx was diagnosed. A complete obstruction of the nasopharynx leading to dyspnea was detected by computed tomography and endoscopy. A minimally invasive ablation of the cystic wall was performed under endoscopic guidance, followed by a pathohistological examination. Immediately after resection of the cyst, the clinical symptoms resolved. The follow-up endoscopical examination 3 months postoperatively was unremarkable. In the presented case the minimally invasive endoscopic ablation of the cystic wall was a successful treatment method.

A 7-month-old intact male Otterhound was presented for diagnosis of progressive hindlimb paresis. The neurological examination revealed a severe ambulatory paraparesis localised to the left-sided region of the lower motor neuron (L4-S1). Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive for an intradural-extramedullary neoplasia at the fifth lumbar vertebra. Surgical exploration demonstrated an intradural-extramedullary mass, which partially invaded the spinal cord. The mass was removed with the exception of the intramedullar part, and the diagnosis of a nephroblastoma was made histopathologically. Following radiation therapy, the dog fully recovered and displayed no signs of neurological dysfunction 9 months after surgery.

This paper presents magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of three dogs after carbon monoxide intoxication. In the first and second cases, MRI changes were confined to both caudate nuclei and in the first case also to the putamen as bilaterally symmetric diffuse homogenous T2 and FLAIR hyperintense, T1 hypointense lesions. No contrast enhancement was seen. In the third case MRI revealed multiple areas of hyperintensity bilaterally on T2 and FLAIR as well as ill-defined areas within the frontal, parietal and occipital grey matter. The caudal colliculi, globus pallidus, substantia nigra and central area of the thalamus showed bilaterally hyperintense lesions on T2w and FLAIR with moderate enhancement after intravenous contrast administration.

Objective: Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare malignant intranasal tumor that originates from the olfactory neuroepithelium of the upper nasal cavity, and can destroy the cribriform plate and expand into the neurocranium. Descriptions of the magnetic resonance features of esthesioneuroblastomas in animals are scarce. The objectives of this study were to report the magnetic resonance imaging features of esthesioneuroblastomas in order to determine distinct imaging characteristics that may help distinguish it from other intracranial tumor types., Material and Methods: Magnetic resonance images of four patients with confirmed esthesioneuroblastomas were reviewed and compared with previously reported cases., Results: The esthesioneuroblastomas appeared as oval-shaped, solitary lesions in the caudal nasal cavity that caused osteolysis of the cribriform plate and extended into the brain in all cases. Signal intensity was variable. Contrast enhancement was mild and varied from homogeneous to heterogeneous. A peripheral cystic component was found in two patients and was reported in only one previous case. Mass effect and white matter edema were marked to severe. Osteolysis of facial bones and extension into the facial soft tissues or retrobulbar space were not present in any of the cases, although this has been reported in the literature., Conclusion: A definitive diagnosis of esthesioneuroblastoma based on signal intensity or contrast behavior was not possible. Nevertheless, the presence of a mass in the caudal nasal cavity with extension into the neurocranium seems to be a feature highly suspicious of esthesioneuroblastoma. In contrast to other extra-cranial lesions, the extra-cranial mass was relatively small and destruction of facial bones seems to be rare.