Comparison of usefulness of different diagnostic procedures in slipped capital femoral epiphysis in cats

Abstract

SummaryThe aim of the study was to compare the usefulness of different diagnostic procedures -radiology, computed tomography and histopathology -in slipped femoral epiphysis in cats (SCFE). Case histories of 7 cats and radiographic, computed tomography and histopathological findings for these animals were reviewed and compared with previously published cases of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Three cats underwent computed tomography examination. Contrary to the literature data, the British Shorthair breed was overrepresented in the examined group (57.1%). In five cats, slipped capital femoral epiphysis developed unilaterally, but in one of these cats SCFE had also been diagnosed in the contralateral hip joint 6 months after initial treatment. Patients with SCFE were surgically treated by femoral head and neck amputation. The study suggests that the results of X-ray and computed tomography examinations are comparable. An early diagnosis, with very subtle changes of SCFE detected successfully by computed tomography, could lead to conservative or early surgical treatment. Histopathological findings are helpful in SCFE and confirm the correct diagnosis. Furthermore, the results do not support the theory that slipped capital femoral epiphysis develops mainly in overweight and neutered cats.

Comparison of three radiographic assessment methods for detecting slipped capital femoral epiphyses in cats: Klein’s line, modified Klein’s line and the S-sign

“…A broken continuity, asymmetry or sharp turn is a positive result. 19 Although advanced stages of SCFE in cats are typically easy to identify on radiographs, subtle changes early in the course of the disease are harder to detect, 9 especially in cases of acute fracture with minimal displacement or in those with chronic fractures. 2 Early diagnosis of subtle SCFE could lead to earlier surgical treatment 9 and avoid the need for salvage surgery, such as femoral head and neck excision or total hip replacement.…”

“… 1 – 3 Typical radiographic features include an open proximal femoral physis, osteolysis and sclerosis of the femoral neck, and displacement of the proximal femoral epiphysis. 1 , 2 , 6 , 9 Previous reports have also labelled the condition femoral neck metaphyseal osteopathy and spontaneous capital femoral physeal fracture, 5 , 6 but it is believed these are in fact the same condition and SCFE has become the accepted terminology for the disease. In previous literature, the most commonly reported treatment option for cats with SCFE is a femoral head and neck ostectomy.…”

Capital femoral physeal dysplasia in cats submited to ostectomy of the femoral head and neck

“…Various factors, including genetics, obesity, endocrine imbalances, neutering, and sex, are believed to play role in the development of the disease. SPFE is mainly reported in European Shorthairs, Siamese and Maine Coons (DEGÓRKA et al, 2017).…”

“…Overweight animals may have insulin imbalances, which plays a role by regulating glucose metabolism in chondrocytes and, in large concentrations, insulin can promote differentiation of chondrocytes. Increasing insulin serum concentrations may influence the pathogenesis of the physeal fracture, since abnormal insulin metabolism alters chondrocyte differentiation (DEGÓRKA et al, 2017). Glucose levels were not measured in the patients in this study because none of them appeared hyperglycemic -all patients had access to the street and were able to exercise with no specific clinical signs of altered insulin levels.…”