INTRODUCTION Several works have been published on the ex-vivo testing of intestinal anastomoses b... more INTRODUCTION Several works have been published on the ex-vivo testing of intestinal anastomoses both in horses and other species [1-8], aiming to define the biomechanical and anatomical characteristics of different techniques in order to compare them. While the anatomical and biomechanical morphologies are easily definable in end-to-end anastomoses through the use of digital radiography, this could prove difficult to achieve in side-to-side anastomoses, where the characteristics of the intestinal segments involved make measuring the area of the stoma and afferent intestine difficult and possibly imprecise due to the overlapping of structures or the multiplanarity of the examined items. The aim of our work is to define a protocol for the quantitative measurement of the anatomical characteristics of side-to-side jejuno(ileo)cecal anastomoses in horses, in order to compare different techniques and evaluate their physical characteristics by standardizing their CT acquisition and reconst...
Background: Jejuno(ileo)cecal side-to-side anastomoses with resection are commonly performed in e... more Background: Jejuno(ileo)cecal side-to-side anastomoses with resection are commonly performed in equine abdominal surgery whenever the ileum is damaged to such an extent that will not allow performing an end-to-end anastomosis. Nevertheless, the complication rates of these techniques are still high while survival rates are lower when compared to other types of anastomosis both for handsewn and stapled techniques (Freeman and Schaeffer, 2010). Possible explanations have been proposed mostly from a functional point of view, related to the peculiarity that this anastomosis forcedly joins two segments with very specific and different physiology and motility patterns. The overcoming of intracecal pressure by the jejunum (Huskamp, 1973) without the coordination normally produced by the ileocecal valve (Freeman and Schaeffer, 2010) and the fact that most of the proximal jejunum has already been distended and possibly damaged by the primary pathology are all factors that could explain the po...
Intravenous iodinated contrast (IVIC) medium is routinely administered to dogs. Scattered informa... more Intravenous iodinated contrast (IVIC) medium is routinely administered to dogs. Scattered information exists regarding the serum biochemical or urinary profiles associated with the administration of IVIC in dogs. The aim of the study was to describe, compare, and discuss from the perspective of previous studies the alterations in serum biochemical and urinary parameters before (T0) and within one week (T1) of the IVIC administration during routine computed tomography (CT) scan evaluation of 22 dogs. Mature dogs presenting for CT scan evaluation for preoperative oncology staging/surgical planning were included. T1 evaluation was performed within one week of IVIC administration. Statistically significant differences in serum total protein, albumin, chloride, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations, urine protein to creatinine ratio, and urine specific gravity were found between T1 and T0. At T1, the serum creatinine concentration was within reference ranges in all dogs but one. An incr...
The aim of this study is to compare handsewn and stapled jejunocecal anastomosis with different s... more The aim of this study is to compare handsewn and stapled jejunocecal anastomosis with different stomal lengths in terms of anatomical differences. Group 1 underwent a two-layer handsewn jejunocecal side-to-side anastomosis (HS); Group 2 received a stapled jejunocecal side-to-side anastomosis (GIA). Each group was divided into two subgroups (HS80 and HS100, GIA80 and GIA100). Specimens were inflated and CT scanned. The stomal/jejunal area ratio and blind end pouch volume/area were measured and compared. Effective length of the stoma was measured and compared with the initial length. Stomal/jejunal area ratio was 1.1 for both 80 techniques, 1.6 for the GIA100, and 1.9 for the HS100 technique. Both HS and GIA techniques produced a blind end pouch and exhibited a mean increase of the final stomal length ranging from 6 to 11% greater than the original stomal length. All techniques will exhibit a length increase of the final stomal length compared to the intended stomal length, with a con...
Stapled jejunocecal anastomoses are commonly performed in equine abdominal surgery. They carry hi... more Stapled jejunocecal anastomoses are commonly performed in equine abdominal surgery. They carry higher complication rates compared to handsewn techniques. In human surgery various causes likely to lead to failure of stapled techniques have been evaluated, including staple line failure. Recently Freeman proposed a technique to perform a stapled jejunocecal anastomosis in horses while avoiding blind pouch formation. The aim of this study is to describe a method for stapled side-to-side jejunocecal anastomosis in horses and to compare it with other techniques with computed tomography to assess stomal area, shape and blind pouch size. Intestinal specimens comprising the cecum, ileum and jejunum from 18 horses were collected and were divided into three groups. In Group S a standard stapled side-to-side jejunocecal anastomosis was performed. In Group F the anastomosis was performed using a modified technique proposed by Freeman. In Group G the anastomosis was performed with a modified tech...
A 12-year-old male cat was referred for progressive limb weakness lasting 2 weeks. Physical exami... more A 12-year-old male cat was referred for progressive limb weakness lasting 2 weeks. Physical examination detected muscle atrophy and bilateral renomegaly with distortion of the renal contours. The cat was ambulatory but tetraparetic. It showed a peculiar posture on forelimbs with bilateral flexion of the carpi and extrarotation of forearms. The cat was unable to go upstairs or jump. Neurological examination showed findings compatible with peripheral nervous system involvement. Histopathological findings revealed a high grade non-B, non-T cell renal lymphoma and peripheral neuropathy characterised by demyelination, axonal degeneration and muscle denervation. In the absence of congenital, metabolic and infectious diseases or exposure to toxins, a paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathy was hypothesised. In humans and dogs, paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathies have been documented with different neoplastic processes including lymphoproliferative disorders. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of suspected paraneoplastic polyneuropathy in a cat with malignant tumour.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
SummaryNineteen growing animals, eleven dogs and eight cats, suffering from femoral or humeral fr... more SummaryNineteen growing animals, eleven dogs and eight cats, suffering from femoral or humeral fractures were treated with IM pin/external fixator “tie-in” configuration. Implant disassembling was performed in nine subjects within 30 days. Radiographic examination showed bone healing within 60 days in all of the patients and the implants were removed. Limb function recovery was complete in most patients (16/19). Therefore, our conclusion is that the “tie-in” technique is a good surgical option for treating fractures affecting growing animals.
Two 3-month-old male West Highland White terriers were referred for progressive neurological dise... more Two 3-month-old male West Highland White terriers were referred for progressive neurological disease. Histological examination of the central nervous system of the animals euthanized at the owner' request, revealed diffuse, bilateral and symmetrical white matter lesion consisting of varying degrees of demyelination and axonal degeneration. Accumulation of round to ovoid large mononuclear cells was especially observed along the blood vessels in the white matter. These cells were characterized by central or eccentric nuclei and highly eosinophilic, granular and PAS-positive cytoplasm. Stored material was stained with toluidine blue both at pH 4 and pH 11 and exhibited a strong PAC and no PALK activities. Staining for lectins revealed a positivity using Ricinus communis agglutinin-I, Ricinus communis agglutin-II, Triticum vulgaris and Concavalin A. Histochemical evaluation of intracellular material was performed on the kidney and on the liver, too. Ultrastructural investigations al...
Two 3-month-old male West Highland White terriers were referred for progressive neurological dise... more Two 3-month-old male West Highland White terriers were referred for progressive neurological disease. Histological examination of the central nervous system of the animals euthanized at the owner' request, revealed diffuse, bilateral and symmetrical white matter lesion consisting of varying degrees of demyelination and axonal degeneration. Accumulation of round to ovoid large mononuclear cells was especially observed along the blood vessels in the white matter. These cells were characterized by central or eccentric nuclei and highly eosinophilic, granular and PAS-positive cytoplasm. Stored material was stained with toluidine blue both at pH 4 and pH 11 and exhibited a strong PAC and no PALK activities. Staining for lectins revealed a positivity using Ricinus communis agglutinin-I, Ricinus communis agglutin-II, Triticum vulgaris and Concavalin A. Histochemical evaluation of intracellular material was performed on the kidney and on the liver, too. Ultrastructural investigations allowed to observe the cytoplasmic contents of globoid cells that is an admixture of degraded myelin membranes and different kinds of tubular aggregates. To verify if the two dogs bore the mutation at position 473, a method involving PCR amplification of genomic DNA followed by restriction-digestion was used. The diagnosis of Krabbe's disease was performed based on the clinical evaluation, morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural features.
INTRODUCTION Several works have been published on the ex-vivo testing of intestinal anastomoses b... more INTRODUCTION Several works have been published on the ex-vivo testing of intestinal anastomoses both in horses and other species [1-8], aiming to define the biomechanical and anatomical characteristics of different techniques in order to compare them. While the anatomical and biomechanical morphologies are easily definable in end-to-end anastomoses through the use of digital radiography, this could prove difficult to achieve in side-to-side anastomoses, where the characteristics of the intestinal segments involved make measuring the area of the stoma and afferent intestine difficult and possibly imprecise due to the overlapping of structures or the multiplanarity of the examined items. The aim of our work is to define a protocol for the quantitative measurement of the anatomical characteristics of side-to-side jejuno(ileo)cecal anastomoses in horses, in order to compare different techniques and evaluate their physical characteristics by standardizing their CT acquisition and reconst...
Background: Jejuno(ileo)cecal side-to-side anastomoses with resection are commonly performed in e... more Background: Jejuno(ileo)cecal side-to-side anastomoses with resection are commonly performed in equine abdominal surgery whenever the ileum is damaged to such an extent that will not allow performing an end-to-end anastomosis. Nevertheless, the complication rates of these techniques are still high while survival rates are lower when compared to other types of anastomosis both for handsewn and stapled techniques (Freeman and Schaeffer, 2010). Possible explanations have been proposed mostly from a functional point of view, related to the peculiarity that this anastomosis forcedly joins two segments with very specific and different physiology and motility patterns. The overcoming of intracecal pressure by the jejunum (Huskamp, 1973) without the coordination normally produced by the ileocecal valve (Freeman and Schaeffer, 2010) and the fact that most of the proximal jejunum has already been distended and possibly damaged by the primary pathology are all factors that could explain the po...
Intravenous iodinated contrast (IVIC) medium is routinely administered to dogs. Scattered informa... more Intravenous iodinated contrast (IVIC) medium is routinely administered to dogs. Scattered information exists regarding the serum biochemical or urinary profiles associated with the administration of IVIC in dogs. The aim of the study was to describe, compare, and discuss from the perspective of previous studies the alterations in serum biochemical and urinary parameters before (T0) and within one week (T1) of the IVIC administration during routine computed tomography (CT) scan evaluation of 22 dogs. Mature dogs presenting for CT scan evaluation for preoperative oncology staging/surgical planning were included. T1 evaluation was performed within one week of IVIC administration. Statistically significant differences in serum total protein, albumin, chloride, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations, urine protein to creatinine ratio, and urine specific gravity were found between T1 and T0. At T1, the serum creatinine concentration was within reference ranges in all dogs but one. An incr...
The aim of this study is to compare handsewn and stapled jejunocecal anastomosis with different s... more The aim of this study is to compare handsewn and stapled jejunocecal anastomosis with different stomal lengths in terms of anatomical differences. Group 1 underwent a two-layer handsewn jejunocecal side-to-side anastomosis (HS); Group 2 received a stapled jejunocecal side-to-side anastomosis (GIA). Each group was divided into two subgroups (HS80 and HS100, GIA80 and GIA100). Specimens were inflated and CT scanned. The stomal/jejunal area ratio and blind end pouch volume/area were measured and compared. Effective length of the stoma was measured and compared with the initial length. Stomal/jejunal area ratio was 1.1 for both 80 techniques, 1.6 for the GIA100, and 1.9 for the HS100 technique. Both HS and GIA techniques produced a blind end pouch and exhibited a mean increase of the final stomal length ranging from 6 to 11% greater than the original stomal length. All techniques will exhibit a length increase of the final stomal length compared to the intended stomal length, with a con...
Stapled jejunocecal anastomoses are commonly performed in equine abdominal surgery. They carry hi... more Stapled jejunocecal anastomoses are commonly performed in equine abdominal surgery. They carry higher complication rates compared to handsewn techniques. In human surgery various causes likely to lead to failure of stapled techniques have been evaluated, including staple line failure. Recently Freeman proposed a technique to perform a stapled jejunocecal anastomosis in horses while avoiding blind pouch formation. The aim of this study is to describe a method for stapled side-to-side jejunocecal anastomosis in horses and to compare it with other techniques with computed tomography to assess stomal area, shape and blind pouch size. Intestinal specimens comprising the cecum, ileum and jejunum from 18 horses were collected and were divided into three groups. In Group S a standard stapled side-to-side jejunocecal anastomosis was performed. In Group F the anastomosis was performed using a modified technique proposed by Freeman. In Group G the anastomosis was performed with a modified tech...
A 12-year-old male cat was referred for progressive limb weakness lasting 2 weeks. Physical exami... more A 12-year-old male cat was referred for progressive limb weakness lasting 2 weeks. Physical examination detected muscle atrophy and bilateral renomegaly with distortion of the renal contours. The cat was ambulatory but tetraparetic. It showed a peculiar posture on forelimbs with bilateral flexion of the carpi and extrarotation of forearms. The cat was unable to go upstairs or jump. Neurological examination showed findings compatible with peripheral nervous system involvement. Histopathological findings revealed a high grade non-B, non-T cell renal lymphoma and peripheral neuropathy characterised by demyelination, axonal degeneration and muscle denervation. In the absence of congenital, metabolic and infectious diseases or exposure to toxins, a paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathy was hypothesised. In humans and dogs, paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathies have been documented with different neoplastic processes including lymphoproliferative disorders. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of suspected paraneoplastic polyneuropathy in a cat with malignant tumour.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
SummaryNineteen growing animals, eleven dogs and eight cats, suffering from femoral or humeral fr... more SummaryNineteen growing animals, eleven dogs and eight cats, suffering from femoral or humeral fractures were treated with IM pin/external fixator “tie-in” configuration. Implant disassembling was performed in nine subjects within 30 days. Radiographic examination showed bone healing within 60 days in all of the patients and the implants were removed. Limb function recovery was complete in most patients (16/19). Therefore, our conclusion is that the “tie-in” technique is a good surgical option for treating fractures affecting growing animals.
Two 3-month-old male West Highland White terriers were referred for progressive neurological dise... more Two 3-month-old male West Highland White terriers were referred for progressive neurological disease. Histological examination of the central nervous system of the animals euthanized at the owner' request, revealed diffuse, bilateral and symmetrical white matter lesion consisting of varying degrees of demyelination and axonal degeneration. Accumulation of round to ovoid large mononuclear cells was especially observed along the blood vessels in the white matter. These cells were characterized by central or eccentric nuclei and highly eosinophilic, granular and PAS-positive cytoplasm. Stored material was stained with toluidine blue both at pH 4 and pH 11 and exhibited a strong PAC and no PALK activities. Staining for lectins revealed a positivity using Ricinus communis agglutinin-I, Ricinus communis agglutin-II, Triticum vulgaris and Concavalin A. Histochemical evaluation of intracellular material was performed on the kidney and on the liver, too. Ultrastructural investigations al...
Two 3-month-old male West Highland White terriers were referred for progressive neurological dise... more Two 3-month-old male West Highland White terriers were referred for progressive neurological disease. Histological examination of the central nervous system of the animals euthanized at the owner' request, revealed diffuse, bilateral and symmetrical white matter lesion consisting of varying degrees of demyelination and axonal degeneration. Accumulation of round to ovoid large mononuclear cells was especially observed along the blood vessels in the white matter. These cells were characterized by central or eccentric nuclei and highly eosinophilic, granular and PAS-positive cytoplasm. Stored material was stained with toluidine blue both at pH 4 and pH 11 and exhibited a strong PAC and no PALK activities. Staining for lectins revealed a positivity using Ricinus communis agglutinin-I, Ricinus communis agglutin-II, Triticum vulgaris and Concavalin A. Histochemical evaluation of intracellular material was performed on the kidney and on the liver, too. Ultrastructural investigations allowed to observe the cytoplasmic contents of globoid cells that is an admixture of degraded myelin membranes and different kinds of tubular aggregates. To verify if the two dogs bore the mutation at position 473, a method involving PCR amplification of genomic DNA followed by restriction-digestion was used. The diagnosis of Krabbe's disease was performed based on the clinical evaluation, morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural features.
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