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OBJECTIVE To verify the existence of intertransverse joints (ITJs) in young foals. ANIMALS 11 warmblood foals. PROCEDURES Postmortem examination of the lumbar area in foals < 200 days old using CT, MRI, dissection, and histomorphology. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS Age of foals varied between 1 and 200 days (median, 11 days). Ten foals had 6 lumbar (L) vertebrae, and 1 foal had 5. All 11 foals, irrespective of age, had ITJs between the first sacral and last lumbar vertebrae and between the last and second-to-last lumbar vertebrae. In 6 foals (all with 6 L vertebrae), ITJs also existed between the fourth and fifth L vertebra. One foal, also with 6 L vertebrae, additionally had a unilateral (right) ITJ between the transverse processes of the third and fourth L vertebra. Based on CT, width of ITJs was seemingly greater in young (< 1 month old) foals because of the incomplete ossification of the transverse processes. The ITJs were confirmed and further characterized by MRI, dissection, and histomorphology. CLINICAL RELEVANCE ITJs already exist in very young warmblood foals and are present at birth. During the first months of life, these juvenile ITJs develop similarly to other synovial joints with increasing ossification and concomitant decrease of thickness of the cartilage layer. Knowledge of the presence of these ITJs in young animals is clinically relevant, as they should be recognized as nonpathologic when for instance a young foal is presented for presumed arthropathy and examined with advanced imaging techniques.

Aims: To determine the relation between quantitative electromyography (QEMG) of the cervical ventral serratus muscle, radiographic findings and post-mortem gross and histopathological examination in order to calculate the ability of QEMG to localize the region of cervical compressive neuropathy and myelopathy in horses. Methods: In this clinical, non-randomised, partially blinded study (QEMG and histology), 36 warmblood horses with clinical suspicion of cervical spine disease were examined with QEMG in different segments of the ventral serratus muscle. Results were compared to normative data. Diagnostic imaging was performed in 28 cases. All horses were euthanized because of poor clinical prognoses and/or recurrent clinical neurological signs despite treatment and underwent necropsy with emphasis on the cervical nervous tissue and vertebrae. Clinical and diagnostic imaging findings, QEMG results and post mortem findings were compared with each other. Results: Overall mean values of duration (9.54 ms), polyphasia, number of phases (3.6) and size index (0.67) in horses with cervical lesions were significantly (P.Ziele: Mittels quantitativer Elektromyographie (QEMG) des M. serratus ventralis und dem Vergleich zu den radiologischen Befunden, makroskopischen und histopathologischen Untersuchungen, sollte versucht werden die Lokalisation der neurogenen Kompression im Nackenbereich von Pferden festzustellen. Methoden: In dieser klinischen, nicht randomisierten, teilweise verblindeten Studie (Histologie und QEMG) wurde bei 36 Warmblutpferde mit klinischem Verdacht auf eine Erkrankung der Halswirbelsäule mittels QEMG verschiedene Segmente des ventralen Serratusmuskels untersucht. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit den Referenzwerten verglichen. In 28 Fällen wurde eine diagnostische Bildgebung durchgeführt. Trotz Behandlung wurden alle Pferde aufgrund schlechter klinischer Prognosen und/oder wiederkehrender klinischer neurologischer Symptome eingeschläfert und einer Sektion mit Schwerpunkt auf die Nerven und Wirbeln der Halswirbelsäule unterzogen. Klinische und diagnostische Bildgebungsbefunde, QEMG-Ergebnisse und Pathologie-Befunde wurden miteinander verglichen. Ergebnisse: Die Mittelwerte für die Dauer (9.54 ms), Polyphasie, Anzahl der Phasen (3.6) und Größenindex (0,67) bei Pferden mit Läsionen der Halswirbelsäule waren signifikant (P.Objectifs: Déterminer la relation entre l›électromyographie quantitative (QEMG) du muscle serratus ventral cervical, les résultats radiographiques et les examens macroscopiques et histopathologiques post mortem afin de calculer la capacité de la QEMG à localiser la région de compression neurogène dans l’encolure des chevaux. Méthodes: Dans cette étude clinique, non randomisée, partiellement aveugle (histologie et QEMG), 36 chevaux de sang soupçonnés d’affection du rachis cervical ont été examinés par QEMG sur différents segments du muscle serratus ventral. Les résultats ont été comparés aux données de référence. L’imagerie diagnostique a été réalisée dans 28 cas. Tous les chevaux ont été euthanasiés en raison de mauvais pronostics cliniques et/ou de signes neurologiques cliniques récurrents malgré le traitement et ont subi une autopsie en mettant l’accent sur le tissu nerveux cervical et les vertèbres. Les résultats de l’imagerie clinique et diagnostique, les résultats de la QEMG et les résultats post mortem ont été comparés les uns aux autres. Résultats: Les valeurs moyennes globales de durée (9,54 ms), de polyphasie, de nombre de phases (3,6) et d’indice de taille (0,67) chez les chevaux présentant des lésions cervicales étaient significativement (P.Obiettivo: Determinare la relazione tra una elettromiografia quantitativa (QEMG) del muscolo serrato cervicale ventrale, i risultati radiografici e post mortem e l’esame istopatologico, per calcolare l’abilità del QEMG di localizzare la regione della neuropatia cervicale compressiva e della mielopatia nel collo dei cavalli. Metodi: In questo studio clinico, non randomizzato e parzialmente in ceco (istologico e QEMG) sono stati esaminati in 36 cavalli a sangue caldo, sospettati di essere affetti da una malattia delle vertebre cervicali, via QEMG i differenti segmenti del muscolo serrato ventrale. I risultati sono stati comparati ai dati di riferimento. La diagnostica per immagini è stata effettuata in 28 casi. Tutti i cavalli sono stati eutanasiati a causa della sfavorevole prognosi clinica e/o dei ricorrenti segni clinici neurologici ricorrenti nonostante il trattamento e sono stati sottoposti a necroscopia in particolare nel tessuto nervoso cervicale e nelle vertebre. I risultati clinici e della diagnostica per immagini, quelli del QEMG e quelli post mortem sono stati comparati tra loro. Risultati: I valori medi generali di durata (9.54 ms), polifasia, il numero di fasi (3.6) e l’indice della taglia (0.67) nei cavalli con lesioni cervicali erano significativamente superiori (P.

A 7-week-old male pig was presented with signs of a central nervous system disorder. An MRI of the head and cervical spine was performed immediately after euthanasia. The MRI revealed multifocal bilaterally symmetric T2-weighted hyperintense lesions in the brain and spinal cord, likely due to a toxic metabolic process. Histopathological examination supported the MRI findings and confirmed the diagnosis of edema disease due to Shiga-like toxin produced by Escherichia coli. This is the first case published of the MRI findings in an edema disease affected pig.

Equine intervertebral disc degeneration is thought to be rare and of limited clinical relevance, although research is lacking. To objectively assess pathological changes of the equine intervertebral disc and their clinical relevance, description of the normal morphology and a practical, biologically credible grading scheme are needed. The objectives of this study are to describe the gross and histological appearance of the equine intervertebral discs and to propose a grading scheme for macroscopic degeneration. Spinal units from 33 warmblood horses were grossly analyzed and scored. Of the 286 intervertebral discs analyzed, 107 (37%) were assigned grade 1 and grade 2 (considered normal) and were analyzed histologically. A nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosus could be identified macroscopically and histologically. Histologically, the nucleus pulposus was composed of a cartilaginous matrix and the annulus fibrosus of parallel collagenous bands. A transition zone was also histologically visible. Intra- and inter-observer reliability scores were high for all observers. Higher grades were associated with greater age. Gross changes associated with equine intervertebral disc degeneration (grades 3–5)—that is, yellow discoloration, cleft formation (tearing), and changes in consistency of the nucleus pulposus—were largely similar to those in humans and dogs and were most prevalent in the caudal cervical spine. Equine intervertebral disc degeneration was not associated with osteophyte formation. Changes of the vertebral bone were most common in the thoracolumbar spine but were not correlated with higher grades of intervertebral disc degeneration. Thus, changes of the vertebral bone should be excluded from grading for equine intervertebral disc degeneration.

An 18-month-old male Akita Inu dog developed fever and lameness 8 months after successful transcatheter closure of a patent ductus arteriosus with an Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder (ACDO). Corynebacterium species were cultured from 3 blood samples. Echocardiography showed a vegetative process on the aortic valves. The dog died spontaneously 3 days after development of the initial signs. Necropsy confirmed the presence of bacterial ductal arteritis and myocarditis, and revealed an incomplete endothelialization of the intraductal metal implant. The reason for the lack of (neo)endothelialization of the ACDO remains unknown. We conclude that late-onset bacterial device-related ductal arteritis can develop in dogs where the implant is incompletely covered by a protective endothelial layer.

Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage occurs in 4% to 32% of cranial surgeries and is associated with significant patient burden and expense. The use of sealant as an adjunct to primary dural closure is assumed to help prevent CSF leakage. Objective To examine the utility of different sealants for dural closure using an in Vitro model. Methods We evaluated 9 commonly used dural sealants, including Tachosil (Takeda Inc, Osaka, Japan), Adherus (Hyperbranch Inc, Durham, North Carolina), Duraform (Codman, Raynham, Massachusetts), Tissudura (Baxter, Deerfield, Illinois), Hemopatch (Baxter), TissuePatchDural (Tissuemed, Leeds, United Kingdom), Tisseel (Baxter), Duragen Secure (Integra, Plainsboro, New Jersey), and Duraseal, (Integra). Sealants were tested in 2 novel in Vitro setups using fresh porcine dura: the first tested the acute burst pressure of a sealed 3-mm gap, while the second examined resistance to a pressure wave mimicking intracranial pressure for 72 h. Results Adherus showed the highest mean burst pressure (87 ± 47 mmHg) followed by Tachosil (71 ± 16 mmHg) and Duraseal (51 ± 42 mmHg); these were the only 3 sealants showing burst pressures above normal physiological intracranial pressure. In the 72-h setup, only Adherus and Duraseal maintained appropriate sealing for the duration of the experiment. Tachosil released from the dura after 1.4 h (95% confidence interval, -1.8-4.7). Conclusion Given the high cost of sealants and the results of this study, we advocate a critical attitude toward sealant application as an adjunct to classic dural closure.

BACKGROUND: Myxoma is a very rare benign cardiac tumor in dogs. This is the first description of a cardiac myxoma originating from the left ventricular outflow tract, presumably causing sudden death. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 12-year-old male West Highland white terrier was found dead during its 1-week stay in a kennel. The dog was known to have a cardiac murmur. On necropsy, a pedunculated neoplasia was found attached to the interventricular aspect of the left ventricular outflow tract, resulting in almost complete obstruction of the aorta. As this was the only abnormality identified, the tumor was considered as the cause of sudden death. Histopathologic findings were compatible with a myxoma. CONCLUSIONS: Benign intraluminal tumors of the heart are very rare in dogs, but may have fatal consequences. Echocardiography could have revealed the cause of the cardiac murmur of this previously asymptomatic dog. Surgical removal could have been possible, as the tumor was pedunculated.

The pharmacokinetics of brofaromine, a selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A, was evaluated in 12 frail elderly patients (66-92 y) and 12 healthy volunteers (20-35 y).Quantitative liver function tests were performed to show whether brofaromine elimination in the elderly could be predicted from noninvasive assessment of CYP1A2 activity (caffeine clearance) or liver plasma flow (sorbitol clearance).In the elderly the AUC of brofaromine was significantly increased (e.g. for the 75 mg dose 43.2 vs 19.9 mumol*h.l-1, clearance was reduced (5.0 vs. 11.8 l.h-1), the volume of distribution was smaller (130 vs. 230 l), and the half-life was slightly increased (19.0 vs. 14.2 h). No significant correlation was observed between hepatic plasma flow and brofaromine clearance (r = 0.41, P = 0.05), whereas CYP1A2 activity and brofaromine clearance were tightly correlated (r = 0.94, P0.0001).Caffeine clearance, a simple, noninvasive test of CYP1A2 activity, is predictive of brofaromine clearance.