Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Prostate gland can be structurally evaluated by computed tomography (CT) with taking advantages of tomographic feature and post-contrast parenchymal changes. The current examination initiated to determine association between computed tomographic and cytological results in evaluation of canine prostate. Thirty mature male dogs were included and under gone by both CT and fine needle sampling of prostate. The cytology and CT examination results showed 18/30 (60.00%) and 15/30 (50.00%) normal prostate, 5/30 (16.66%) and 4/30 (13.33%) prostatitis and 7/30 (23.33%) and 11/30 (36.66%) benign prostatic hyperplasia, respectively. Moderate agreement has been found between cytology and final diagnosis based on pre-contrast CT images, however fair agreement was existed between cytological diagnosis and final CT interpretation according to post-contrast and both pre- and post- contrast CT series. Additionally, the internal iliac lymph node length showed statistically significant difference in prostatitis compared to normal and benign hyperplastic prostates in this study. In conclusion, the fair and moderate associations between cytology and final diagnosis based on CT images should be considered and they can be used in further investigations and clinical examinations. Also, using internal iliac lymph node length to differentiate prostatitis with normal and benign hyperplastic prostates can be used efficiently in diagnosis to choose the best method of management and have a proper follow up and prognosis.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the pituitary gland dimensions due to age and weight using computed tomography (CT) in dogs and cats. The CT images of pituitary gland were assessed in 11 client-owned dogs (six males and five females; age range, 1 to 9 years) and 15 client-owned cats (eight males and seven females; age range, 1 to 14 years) with no evidence of pituitary diseases. The length, height, width and volume of the pituitary gland were measured in sagittal and transverse planes. Mean pituitary length, width, height and volume (± standard deviation: SD) were respectively 4.96 (± 0.69 mm), 3.62 (± 0.64 mm), 2.62 (± 0.05 mm) and 26.19 (± 7.99 mm³) in cats and were 7.00 (± 2.14 mm), 4.80 (± 1.20 mm), 3.80 (± 0.70 mm) and 77.53 (± 51.64 mm³) in dogs, respectively. Mean pituitary height-to-brain ratio (P:B ratio), (± SD) in cats and dogs was 0.28 (± 0.05) and 0.21 (± 0.03), respectively and mean percent of pituitary volume to brain volume (± SD) in cats and dogs was 0.10 (± 0.05) and 0.10 (± 0.07), respectively. There was no significant correlation between the size of pituitary gland and age, weight and body condition score (BCS) in dogs, however in cats, significant difference was found between height of pituitary gland and weight and BCS, pituitary width and weight and P:B ratio and BCS. These findings could be useful to identify abnormal pituitary gland enlargement in CT images. To be more accurate in the assessments, further studies are required.

Abstract Dogs presented to the Small Animal Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran were included in the present study if spinal or intervertebral disc involvement was suspected. Clinical signs were recorded as well as general information of the patient such as age, breed and sex. Sixty dogs were examined radiographically and two standard orthogonal lateral and ventrodorsal projections were taken from the suspected region. Then magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for all patients. Agreement between MRI and radiographic findings, comparison of sex and breed with diagnostic imaging grades, comparison between diagnostic imaging grades and mean age, recovery rate after surgery or medical treatment, effects of diagnostic imaging severity grades on surgical or medical referrals were evaluated statistically. There were no significant association between age, sex and breed and frequency of the intervertebral disk disease. Intervertebral disc involvements between L₂-L₃ and T₁₃-L₁ were estimated as the most frequent sites of involvements. Sensitivity and specificity of radiography were evaluated 90.0% and 46.0%, respectively, by considering the MRI as a gold standard modality. There was a significant association between severity of disease in the MRI with referral to surgery and medical treatment. The recovery rate after surgery was significantly higher than medical treatment. These results can be used as a foundation for other studies with more focuses on details of injury and larger group of patients.