Objectives To report the surgical technique and postoperative outcome of corneal repair with autologous buccal mucous membrane grafts in dogs and cats with descemetoceles, deep corneal ulcers, and perforated corneal ulcers with or without iris prolapse. Animal studied Twelve cats (13 eyes) and fourteen dogs (14 eyes) were treated. Procedures Grafts were harvested from the unpigmented superior labial mucosa using a biopsy punch. The corneal lesion was carefully debrided and cleaned. The graft was secured to the healthy cornea with a combination of simple interrupted and continuous 9–0 polyglycolic acid sutures. In 25/27 treated eyes, an overlying pedicle conjunctival graft was also performed. A temporary nictitating membrane flap was used in all cases. The pedicle conjunctival graft was trimmed about 10–20 days postoperatively. The median follow‐up period was 549.2 days (range 14–2691 days). Results No surgical intra‐operative complications were observed. The ulcers healed and the integrity of the globe was restored in 24/27 treated eyes. Different grades of corneal fibrosis and/or vascularization and/or pigmentation were observed in all cases at the long‐term follow‐up. In two cases, enucleation was performed due to postoperative complications and one animal developed phthisis bulbi. A total of 22/27 treated eyes appeared to have regained effective visual function at the last clinical evaluation. Conclusions Autologous buccal mucous membrane grafts appear to successfully manage severe corneal ulcers in dogs and cats, providing a useful and economical alternative to other corneal grafts.

Given the abundance of chickens in Italy, it is important for veterinarians to know the normal state of chickens’ eyes in order to identify any ophthalmic pathological changes. The aim of this study was to determine the normal values of select ocular parameters and to evaluate conjunctival microflora in two Italian chicken breeds. Sixty-six healthy chickens underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, which included a phenol red thread test (PRTT) for the evaluation of tear production and the assessment of intraocular pressure by rebound tonometry. B-mode ultrasound biometric measurements and conjunctival microflora identification were also performed in twenty-seven chickens. Mean PRTT was 23.77 ± 2.99 mm/15 s in the Livorno breed and 19.95 ± 2.81 mm/15 s in the Siciliana breed. Mean intraocular pressure was 14.3 ± 1.17 mmHg in the Livorno breed and 14.06 ± 1.15 mmHg in the Siciliana breed. Reference ranges for morphometric parameters were reported in the two breeds. Twenty-three chickens (85.18%) were bacteriologically positive. Chlamydia spp. antigen was detected in 14.81% of chickens. No positive cultures were obtained for fungi. Normal reference range values for selected ophthalmic parameters were obtained in clinically healthy chickens, which could facilitate accurate diagnosis and better management of ophthalmic diseases in these animals.

No abstract

No abstract

Purpose:Evaluate and compare retrospective prostate treatment plan using Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (RapidArc™ – Varian) technique with single or double arcs at COI Group.Methods:Ten patients with present prostate and seminal vesicle neoplasia were replanned as a target treatment volume and a prescribed dose of 78 Gy. A baseline planning, using single arc, was developed for each case reaching for the best result on PTV, in order to minimize the dose on organs at risk (OAR). Maintaining the same optimization objectives used on baseline plan, two copies for optimizing single and double arcs, have been developed. The plans were performed with 10 MV photon beam energy on Eclipse software, version 11.0, making use of Trilogy linear accelerator with Millenium HD120 multileaf collimator. Comparisons on PTV have been performed, such as: maximum, minimum and mean dose, gradient dose, as well as the quantity of monitor units, treatment time and homogeneity and conformity index. OARs constrains dose have been evaluated, comparing both optimizations.Results:Regarding PTV coverage, the difference of the minimum, maximum and mean dose were 1.28%, 0.7% and 0.2% respectively higher for single arc. When analyzed the index of homogeneity found a difference of 0.99% higher when compared with double arcs. However homogeneity index was 0.97% lower on average by using single arc. The doses on the OARs, in both cases, were in compliance to the recommended limits RTOG 0415. With the use of single arc, the quantity of monitor units was 10,1% lower, as well as the Beam‐On time, 41,78%, when comparing double arcs, respectively.Conclusion:Concerning the optimization of patients with present prostate and seminal vesicle neoplasia, the use of single arc reaches similar objectives, when compared to double arcs, in order to decrease the treatment time and the quantity of monitor units.