Comparison Between Shoulder Computed Tomography and Clinical Findings in 89 Dogs Presented for Thoracic Limb Lameness

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) is an established technique for detecting shoulder lesions in dogs, however the clinical significance of shoulder CT lesions often remains uncertain. The purposes of this retrospective study were to describe the prevalence of CT lesions in both shoulder joints for 89 dogs presenting with thoracic limb lameness and to compare CT lesions with clinical characteristics. For all included dogs, results of a full orthopedic examination, other diagnostic tests, and signalment data were available in medical records. Multilevel, multivariable logistic regression was used to test clinical significance of the most prevalent CT lesions and determine factors associated with their presence. Computed tomographic lesions were detected in one or both shoulder joints for 51/89 dogs (57.3%). Mineralization of one or more surrounding peri-articular soft-tissue structures was identified in 31.5% of dogs, with supraspinatus muscle/tendon mineralization being the most frequently identified (24.7%). The prevalence of humeral head osteochondrosis was 9 and 21.3% of dogs had shoulder osteoarthritis. Border collies (odds ratio [OR] 9.3; 95% CI 1.39-62.1, P = 0.02) and dogs with shoulder pain (OR 4.3; 95% CI 1.08-17.1, P = 0.04) had increased risk of osteochondrosis lesions. Border collies (OR 8.4; 95% CI 1.27-55.6; P = 0.03) and older animals (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.1, P < 0.001) had increased risk of osteoarthritis lesions. Female entire dogs had an increased risk of supraspinatus mineralization lesions (OR 6.8; 95% CI 1.55-29.5, P = 0.01). Findings indicated that shoulder CT lesions are common in dogs with thoracic limb lameness, and that some CT lesions are not associated with shoulder pain.

Computed tomographic arthrography is a useful adjunct to survey computed tomography and arthroscopic evaluation of the canine shoulder joint

“…Intraarticular shoulder pathology is a frequent cause of thoracic limb lameness in the dog . Determining the exact cause of shoulder lameness is often challenging, and various imaging techniques have been described . Principal pathologies include bicipital tenosynovitis, biceps brachii tendon rupture, bicipital mineralizing tendinopathy, subscapularis tendon rupture, medial and lateral glenohumeral ligament rupture, osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis dissecans of the humeral head and intertubercular groove joint mice, fractures, luxations, arthritis, and neoplasia .…”

“…Computed tomography (CT) is frequently used in the diagnosis of shoulder lameness, however, its inherently limited soft tissue contrast resolution restricts its diagnostic ability for intraarticular structures. The use of contrast medium introduced into the joint cavity overcomes this limitation, by delineating the margins of the synovial and cartilaginous structures.…”

Prevalence of humeral head osteochondrosis in the Greater Swiss Mountain dog and the Border Collie in Switzerland

“…Results of the present study should alert veterinarians to the disease in these breeds and may serve as a starting point for further epidemiological and genetic studies. and Golden Retriever, BC, and Great Dane (LaFond et al, 2002;Maddox et al, 2013). Small breeds are less likely affected (Bruggeman et al, 2010).…”

“…Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to be superior to radiography for the detection of shoulder OC and should be considered as an additional imaging modality in lame dogs but with normal shoulder radiographs (Wall et al, 2015). Recent studies also support the use of computed tomography (CT) as an adjunct modality for the identification and characterization of scapulohumeral subchondral bone lesions in dogs with thoracic limb lameness (Maddox et al, 2013;Lande et al, 2014).…”

Tendon Volume Determination on Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Supraspinatus Tendinopathy

“…Both calcified supraspinatus tendinopathy and NCST can be an incidental finding with unilateral lameness noted despite dogs having changes in the supraspinatus tendon bilaterally . A study examining computed tomography (CT) of the shoulder in 89 dogs with forelimb lameness found 25% of dogs had some degree of supraspinatus muscle or tendon calcification with an uncertain clinical significance …”