Your Custom Quiz
In Alvarez-Sanchez 2023 et al., on SLN mapping in canine MCT, what was the histologic metastasis rate (HN2 or HN3) in excised lymph nodes?
🔍 Key Findings
- Combined ICTL and NIRF detected the same SLN in 80% of cases; each method alone missed sentinel lymph nodes in some dogs.
- ICLT failed in 5% of dogs, while NIRF failed in 20%; combined use resulted in only 5% failure in SLN detection.
- Metastatic lymph nodes were detected in 95% of dogs, despite most tumors being low or intermediate grade (95%).
- 27 of 41 nodes (65.8%) were histologically metastatic (HN2 or HN3), many of which would have been missed using ALN alone.
- ALN matched the SLN in only 45% of cases with ICTL and 30% with NIRF, supporting the need for SLN mapping.
- ICLT and NIRF were complementary, often identifying different SLN, with some only fluorescent or enhanced in one modality.
- Subcutaneous MCT had higher metastatic rates (7/8 dogs) than previously reported, challenging older assumptions about benign behavior.
- Removing both ALN and SLN (from both methods) improved detection of metastasis to 85–95%, reducing risk of understaging.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2023
Comparison of indirect computed tomographic lymphography and near-infrared fluorescence sentinel lymph node mapping for integumentary canine mast cell tumors
2023-3-VS-alvarez-sanchez-4
In Barrett 2023 et al., on complication grading systems, which grading system demonstrated **greater detail** and less subjectivity in defining complication types?
🔍 Key Findings
- Cook system had good reliability across all cases (ICC = 0.848), even when complications, sequelae, and failure-to-cure were included.
- aCD system had excellent reliability when excluding sequelae/failure-to-cure cases (ICC = 0.975) but only moderate reliability when including them (ICC = 0.620).
- Majority of complications (60–63%) were graded as Grade 3 in the aCD system, corresponding to surgical or anesthetic intervention.
- Cook system classified most cases (78–81%) as major complications.
- Assessors had difficulty distinguishing sequelae from Grade 1 complications, and failure-to-cure from Grades 1–2, reducing aCD reliability.
- The aCD system offers more resolution (5 grades vs. 3) and less subjectivity through objective definitions.
- Novel terminology (e.g., sequelae, failure to cure) in the aCD system may hinder its uptake without proper training.
- Reclassifying expected events (e.g., swelling, bruising) as sequelae could significantly reduce reported complication rates in other studies.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2023
Comparison of two postoperative complication grading systems after treatment of stifle and shoulder instability in 68 dogs
2023-1-VS-barrett-3
In Kennedy 2024 et al., which portal had the highest rate of articular cartilage injury?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- 20 shoulders from 11 medium-to-large breed dogs evaluated
- Lateral portals used: middle arthroscopic, caudal instrument, cranial egress
- Musculotendinous lesions unavoidable, but small (18G needle); seen in deltoideus (90%), infraspinatus, teres minor, etc.
- Neurovascular safety:
- Caudal portal was closest to axillary artery/nerve branches (as close as 7 mm)
- Only 2/20 shoulders (10%) had omobrachial vein penetrated
- Cartilage injuries (IACI) occurred in 65%, primarily minor linear defects; use of guarded cannulas and distractors suggested for minimization
- Supports overall safety of lateral shoulder arthroscopy with portal placement awareness
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
4
2024
Evaluation of Canine Shoulder Arthroscopy for Anatomical and Safety Considerations
2024-4-VCOT-kennedy-2
In Drudi 2022 et al., on CAL vs TAL outcomes, which group demonstrated a significant reduction in glottic area between immediate and 15-day post-op periods?
🔍 Key Findings
- Cricoarytenoid lateralization (CAL) resulted in a significantly greater increase in rima glottidis area at both immediate (205%) and 15-day (199%) time points compared to thyroarytenoid lateralization (TAL) (152% and 127%, respectively).
- TAL group showed a significant reduction in rima glottidis area between immediate and 15-day postoperative measurements (P < .05), while CAL group had no significant reduction over time.
- No dogs in either group showed postoperative complications, including aspiration pneumonia, at the 15-day follow-up.
- All dogs showed improved clinical signs, including decreased stridor and increased exercise tolerance by day 15.
- CAL produced more stable postoperative glottic area, potentially due to preserved anatomical tension, whereas TAL might experience tension loss due to thyroid cartilage repositioning.
- Both procedures were technically effective and performed under the same protocol by a single board-certified surgeon.
- Endoscopic image analysis was used to quantify rima glottidis area, demonstrating a reliable objective method for surgical outcome assessment.
- Clinical outcome did not differ between groups, despite CAL showing a larger rima glottidis area.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2022
Comparison of immediate and short‐term outcomes of cricoarytenoid and thyroarytenoid lateralization in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis
2022-3-VS-drudi-3
In Wood 2024 et al., on knot security and locking throws, which knot had the poorest performance, especially without a locking throw?
🔍 Key Findings
- Adding a single locking throw significantly increased holding security for specific knots, including the surgeon's throw (p = .0001) and square throw (p = .0002).
- For the Miller's throw (p = .166) and strangle throw (p = .808), no significant improvement was observed with a locking throw.
- After locking throw addition, all five knots leaked at similar pressures (p = .5233), and these pressures exceeded physiologic arterial pressures.
- Surgeon's throw without a locking throw had the lowest leak pressure (62.5 ± 46.2 mm Hg), below physiologic arterial values.
- The square throw without locking also leaked below physiologic pressures (148.7 ± 109.4 mm Hg), though it outperformed the surgeon's throw.
- Miller’s and strangle throws performed significantly better than square or surgeon’s throws without locking, achieving leak pressures >200 mm Hg.
- All knots used 2-0 polyglyconate monofilament (Maxon); no comparisons across suture types or sizes were performed.
- Authors concluded that correct tensioning and locking throw addition are key to safe vascular ligation. Miller’s, strangle, or slip knots are preferred for challenging surgical fields.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Influence of a single locking throw on the in vitro holding security of five friction knots using two monofilament suture materials in a canine model
2024-4-VS-wood-5
In Longo 2023 et al., on CT trochlear measurements, what was the most reliable parameter for determining the need for trochleoplasty in dogs with MPL?
🔍 Key Findings
- Dogs with MPL had significantly shallower femoral trochlear grooves compared to controls, based on CT-measured femoral trochlear groove angle (FTGA).
- FTGA >134° in small breeds (SB) and >128° in medium/large breeds (MLB) were associated with MPL and can serve as surgical thresholds for considering trochleoplasty.
- FTA and FTRIA measurements were less reliable, showing lower sensitivity/specificity than FTGA.
- Inter-rater reliability for FTGA was excellent (ICC > 0.9), supporting its use in clinical decision-making.
- FTGA differed significantly between SB and MLB dogs, suggesting anatomical variation influences MPL predisposition.
- Dogs with MPL but with FTGA below threshold may not benefit from trochleoplasty, supporting individualized surgical planning.
- CT provides more precise and reproducible evaluation of trochlear morphology than radiography or ultrasound.
- The study introduces a CT protocol using P25 and P50 reference points for consistent FTGA measurement.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2023
Computed tomographic measurements of the femoral trochlea in dogs with and without medial patellar luxation
2023-3-VS-longo-1
In González Montaño 2023 et al., on traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts (TPP), which imaging modality identified TPPs in all cases?
🔍 Key Findings
- Traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts (TPP) were diagnosed in 11 patients (9 dogs, 2 cats) using CT after blunt trauma.
- TPPs were identified on radiographs in 64% of cases that were CT-confirmed, highlighting the superior sensitivity of CT.
- Most cases (7/10) were managed conservatively, with complete recovery and no TPP-related mortality.
- Thoracic surgery (lung lobectomy) was performed in 3 dogs, due to persistent pneumothorax or large TPP with perceived risk of complications.
- All pneumothorax cases were managed with thoracostomy tubes, and chest drains were used in 73% of cases.
- Pneumothorax was present in 100% of patients, often bilateral, and pulmonary contusions were reported in 73%.
- One cat was euthanized due to unrelated maxillofacial trauma; no deaths were attributed to TPP itself.
- Long-term follow-up (median 768 days) revealed only 1 case with possible TPP-related pneumonia; others had no complications.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2023
Traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts in nine dogs and two cats
2023-4-VS-gonzalezmontano-1
In Wang 2025 et al., on TPLO osteotomy alignment, which measurement was found to be more accurate intraoperatively?
🔍 Key Findings
- Fluoroscopy-guided osteotomy placement achieved a median postoperative TPA of 3° (range: 0–4.5°), showing excellent accuracy.
- The D1 measurement (from patellar ligament insertion to osteotomy exit) was more reproducible and accurate intraoperatively than D2.
- Median R1 value (D1-based) matched the intended 21 mm radius with only 0.5 mm deviation, while R2 deviated by 2.5 mm.
- Real-time fluoroscopy allowed dynamic limb positioning and reduced osteotomy placement variability.
- Intraoperative fluoroscopy reduced reliance on preoperative planning, especially in cases with difficult anatomy or positioning.
- Radiation exposure was minimal (avg. 3 images per case) and within safe limits using standard protection protocols.
- Study standardized to 21 mm blades and excluded dogs with developmental orthopedic conditions to reduce confounders.
- Targeting a lower postoperative TPA (3°) may reduce meniscal load and cranio-caudal instability, though long-term outcomes require further study.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2025
Accuracy of fluoroscopy-guided osteotomy placement in TPLO: Postoperative tibial plateau angle and preoperative planning evaluation
2025-7-VS-wang-2
In Isono 2025 et al., on tibial malalignment in MPL, what clinical advantage does PTMTA provide over TTA in preoperative assessment?
🔍 Key Findings
- Proximal Tibia Metatarsal Angle (PTMTA) was significantly increased in dogs with grade 3 and 4 MPL, making it a useful marker for severity.
- PTMTA strongly correlated with Tibial Torsion Angle (TTA) (r = 0.733) and Crural Rotation Angle (CRA) (r = 0.643), integrating multiple morphological deformities.
- Grade 4 MPL cases showed significant internal tibial torsion, increased mMPTA, and decreased MDTT/PTW—indicating both rotation and medial displacement.
- DTMTA was significantly more negative in grade 4, indicating a consistent pattern of internal foot rotation with disease severity.
- PTMTA can be visually assessed during palpation, offering preoperative utility without CT.
- Among toy poodles, PTMTA showed significant differences even between grades 3 and normal, suggesting breed-specific severity patterns.
- Corrective osteotomy may need to address tibial as well as femoral deformities in severe MPL cases with high PTMTA.
- Younger dogs with grade 4 MPL had more severe deformities, possibly due to early onset or developmental progression.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
4
2025
Tibial Torsion Malalignment in Small Dogs with Medial Patellar Luxation
2025-4-VCOT-isono-3
In Violini 2024 et al., on 3D-guided spinal stabilization in brachycephalic dogs, what postoperative complication occurred due to PMMA cement overextension?
🔍 Key Findings
- Spinal stabilization with 3D-printed patient-specific drill guides (3D-PSGs) was safe, with no immediate perioperative complications reported.
- 84% of pedicle screws were optimally placed, and only 0.5% breached the spinal canal, reflecting high placement accuracy.
- 80% of dogs experienced no neurologic deterioration postoperatively, indicating reliable short-term safety.
- 3D-PSGs were accurate and reproducible, even across multiple institutions and surgeons.
- Mid-term outcomes were favorable: all dogs were ambulatory, and 90% had static or improved neurologic signs.
- 7 of 10 mid-term follow-ups showed abnormal gait, though owners rated lifestyle ≥3/5, suggesting acceptable function.
- 3D-printed guides enabled precise pedicle screw placement in deformed vertebrae, expanding options in small breeds.
- One dog suffered a T4 spinous process fracture due to overextension of PMMA cement, emphasizing the need for cement placement caution.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Clinical outcomes of 20 brachycephalic dogs with thoracolumbar spinal deformities causing neurological signs treated with spinal stabilization using 3D-printed patient-specific drill guides
2024-4-VS-violini-3
Quiz Results
You answered 7 out of 10 questions correctly
Key Findings