Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-16-03-0045
Computed tomography and radio-graphic assessment of congruity between the ulnar trochlear notch and humeral trochlea in large breed dogs
Financial support This work is supported by: European Investment Funds by FEDER/COMPETE/POCI– Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Program, under Project POCI-01–0145-FEDER-006958 and National Funds by FCT – Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project UID/AGR/04033.Publication History
Received:
12 March 2016
Accepted:
27 September 2016
Publication Date:
26 December 2017 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00035023/201701/lookinside/thumbnails/10-3415-vcot-16-03-0045-1.jpg)
Summary
Objective: Assess the fit between the ulnar trochlear notch (UTN) and humeral trochlea (HT) in elbow radiographs and computed tomography (CT) images by measuring the curvature radii in normal joints.
Methods: Mediolateral extended view (MLE) and CT were performed on 16 elbows from cadaveric dogs weighing over 20 kg. Curves were traced at the subchondral level from the UTN central ridge and the HT sagittal groove related to the UTN on ~132° joint extension. Curvature radii were achieved using appropriate computer software.
Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient between MLE/CT measurements were statistically significant, with lower limits of a 95% confidence interval (CI) >0.75. The mean differences between MLE/CT measurements were -0.71 mm (95% CI: -0.97 to -0.45) for UTN and -1.04 mm (95% CI: -1.21 to -0.87) for HT. The UTN and HT curvature radii typology were similar, with maximum radius values at the starting point and two intermediate peaks. The UTN curvature radii were bigger than the HT radii, with the largest differences in the most proximal aspect of the joint and in the second intermediate peak.
Clinical significance: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report on humeroulnar congruity through curvature radii evaluation. The software and methodology proposed enabled an adequate UTN and HT radii curvature assessment in MLE and CT images. Comparative studies in normal and dysplastic dogs of various breeds could better clarify the role of UTN and HT curvature radii in elbow incongruity and dysplasia.
-
References
- 1 Lau SF., Hazewinkel HAW., Voorhout G.. Radiographic and computed tomographic assessment of the development of the antebrachia and elbow joints in Labrador Retrievers with and without medial coronoid disease. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2015; 28: 186-192.
- 2 Coppieters E., Gielen I., Verhoeven G.. et al. Erosion of the medial compartment of the canine elbow: occurrence, diagnosis and currently available treatment options. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2015; 28: 9-18.
- 3 Coopman F., Broeckx B., Verelst E.. et al. Combined prevalence of inherited skeletal disorders in dog breeds in Belgium. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2014; 27: 395-397.
- 4 Skinner OT., Warren-Smith CMR., Burton NJ.. et al. Computed tomographic evaluation of elbow congruity during arthroscopy in a canine cadaveric model. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2015; 28: 19-24.
- 5 Samoy YCA., De Bakker E., Van Vynckt D.. et al. Arthroscopic treatment of fragmented coronoid process with severe elbow incongruity long-term follow-up in eight Bernese Mountain Dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2013; 26: 27-33.
- 6 Burton NJ., Warren-Smith CMR., Roper DP.. et al. CT assessment of the influence of dynamic loading on physiological incongruency of the canine elbow. J Small Anim Pract 2013; 54: 291-298.
- 7 Preston CA., Schulz KS., Kass PH.. In vitro determination of contact areas in the normal elbow joint of dogs. Am J Vet Res 2000; 61: 1315-1321.
- 8 Wind AP.. Elbow incongruity and developmental elbow diseases in the dog: part I. J Am Anim Hosp Ass 1986; 22: 711-724.
- 9 Dickomeit MJ., Böttcher P., Hecht S.. et al. Topographic and age-dependent distribution of subchondral bone density in the elbow joints of clinically normal dogs. Am J Vet Res 2011; 72: 491-499.
- 10 De Rycke LM., Gielen IM., van Bree H.. et al. Computed tomography of the elbow joint in clinically normal dogs. Am J Vet Res 2002; 63: 1400-1407.
- 11 Eckstein F., Merz B., Schmid P.. et al. The influence of geometry on the stress distribution in joints, a finite element analysis. Anat Embryol 1994; 189: 545-552.
- 12 Samoy Y., Gielen I., Saunders J.. et al. Sensitivity and specificity of radiography for detection of elbow incongruity in clinical patients. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2011; 53: 236-244.
- 13 Proks P., Necas A., Stehlik L.. et al. Quantification of humeroulnar incongruity in Labrador retrievers with and without medial coronoid disease. Vet Surg 2011; 40: 981-986.
- 14 Stein S., Schmoekel HG., Waibl H.. et al. Computerized measurements of radiographic anatomical parameters of the elbow joint in Bernese mountain dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2012; 25: 250-261.
- 15 Janach KJ., Breit SM., Künzel WWF.. Assessment of the geometry of the cubital (elbow) joint of dogs by the use of magnetic resonance imaging. Am J Vet Res 2006; 67: 211-217.
- 16 Wolschrijn CF., Kik MJL., Weijs WA.. Cartilage-free areas in the elbow joint of young golden retrievers. Anat Rec A Discov Mol Cell Evol Biol 2003; 275: 990-996.
- 17 Mason DR., Schulz KS., Fujita Y.. et al. In vitro force mapping of normal canine humeroradial and humeroulnar joints. Am J Vet Res 2005; 66: 132-135.
- 18 Eljack H., Werner H., Böttcher P.. Sensitivity and specificity of 3D models of the radioulnar joint cup in combination with a sphere fitted to the ulnar trochlear notch for estimation of radioulnar incongruence in vitro. Vet Surg 2013; 42: 365-370.
- 19 Alves-Pimenta S., Ginja MM., Colaço J.. et al. Curvature radius measurements from the ulnar trochlear notch in large dogs. Anat Rec 2015; 298: 1748-1753.
- 20 Alves-Pimenta S., Ginja MM., Fernandes AM.. et al. Curvature radius measurements from the humeral trochlea in large dogs. Anat Rec 2016; 299: 1012-1014.
- 21 House MR., Marino DJ., Lesser ML.. Effect of limb position on elbow congruity with CT evaluation. Vet Surg 2009; 38: 154-160.
- 22 DeCamp CE., Soutas-Little RW., Hauptman J.. et al. Kinematic gait analysis of the trot in healthy greyhounds. Am J Vet Res 1993; 54: 627-634.
- 23 Collins KE., Cross AR., Lewis DD.. et al. Comparison of the radius of curvature of the ulnar trochlear notch of Rottweilers and Greyhounds. Am J Vet Res 2001; 62: 968-973.
- 24 Probst A., Modler F., Künzel W.. et al. Demonstration of the articular cartilage of the canine ulnar trochlear notch using high-field magnetic resonance imaging. Vet J 2008; 177: 63-70.
- 25 Lee J., Koh D., Ong CN.. Statistical evaluations of agreement between two methods for measuring a quantitative variable. Comput Biol Med 1989; 19: 61-70.
- 26 Bland JM., Altman DG.. Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement. Lancet 1986; 1: 307-310.
- 27 Samoy Y., Gielen I., Van Caelenberg A.. et al. Computed tomography findings in 32 joints affected with severe elbow incongruity and fragmented medial coronoid process. Vet Surg 2012; 41: 486-494.
- 28 Cuddy LC., Lewis DD., Kim SE.. et al. Contact mechanics and three dimensional alignment of normal dog elbows. Vet Surg 2012; 41: 818-828.
- 29 Goodrich ZJ., Norby B., Eichelberger BM.. et al. Thoracic limb alignment in healthy Labrador Retrievers: Evaluation of standing versus recumbent frontal plane radiography. Vet Surg 2014; 43: 791-803.
- 30 Lorenz ND., Channon S., Pettitt R.. et al. Ex vivo kinematic studies of a canine unlinked semi-constrained hybrid total elbow arthroplasty system. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2015; 28: 39-47.