Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXV, Issue 1
Written by Andreea ISTRATE, Alexandra PETEOACA, Radu CONSTANTINESCU, Giovanni ANGELI, Andrei TANASE
Fragmented medial coronoid process is part of the triad of developmental lesions causing elbow dysplasia, amongst ununited anconeal process and osteochondrosis of the distomedial aspect of the humeral trochlea, being the most common clinical entity that generates elbow pain and osteoarthrosis in dogs. In this study we compared computed tomography (CT) and radiological findings in 25 dogs presented with forelimb non-traumatic lameness, that were screened for elbow dysplasia and had a CT diagnosis of fragmented medial coronoid process. The radiographs were evaluated according to International Elbow Working Group guidelines and compared with CT images. A fragmented medial coronoid process was diagnosed in 6 dogs using radiographs and was visible in all dogs in the CT examinations. Because fragments are often poorly visualized on radiographic images, due to the fact that the medial coronoid process may remain cartilaginous, the fragment may not be completely detached or may superimpose on the radius, radiographic diagnosis is made mostly on secondary osteoarthritic changes. Thus, computed tomography examinations of the elbow joint have a much higher sensitivity in diagnosing this developmental lesion.
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