Diagnosis of Orthopedic Fractures Using Craniodorsal-Caudoventral Oblique and Caudodorsal-Cranioventral Oblique Radiographic Views Made at 45° to the Frontal Plane in Four Wild Turtles.

Four wild chelonians (two three-toed box turtles [Terrapene triunguis] and two red-eared sliders [Trachemys scripta elegans]) were presented to an academic wildlife rehabilitation center after presumably being hit by a car. Physical examinations revealed various carapace, bridge, and plastron fractures, as well as a lack of motor function of different limbs. A craniodorsal-caudoventral oblique view or caudodorsal-cranioventral oblique radiographic view made at 45° to the frontal plane (Cr45D-CdV and Cd45D-CrV oblique views, respectively), along with standard views (i.e., dorsoventral, right lateral, craniocaudal views), were performed. The oblique views allowed for visualization of different pectoral girdle or pelvic girdle fractures that were not visualized or clearly identified on the standard views. Based on the four clinical cases described here, the addition of Cr45D-CdV or Cd45D-CrV oblique views to the standard views may be beneficial, especially when advance imaging such as computed tomography is not available. These oblique views can be used to better assess chelonian pectoral and pelvic girdles because these structures are superimposed in standard radiographs. Future studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of detecting pelvic and pectoral girdle fractures using these views are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]