Contents of Today's Veterinary Practice - JAN-FEB 2012

Today's Veterinary Practice provides comprehensive information to keep every small animal practitioner up to date on companion animal medicine and surgery as well as practice building and management.

Page 52 of 83

IMAGING ESSENTIALS | For more detailed information regarding OFA certifi-
PELVIC RADIOGRAPHY SUMMARY Pelvic radiographs are used in: UÊCases of trauma UÊEvaluation of lameness UÊEvaluation of congenital disorders (eg, canine or feline hip dysplasia).
High-quality, correctly positioned radiographs
are required in order to provide an accurate assessment, especially for surgical implant planning. A routine radiographic series of the pelvis should include a lateral and ventrodor- sal view. Choosing the lateral projection used depends on the side of lameness and whether pelvic or femoral fractures are present. If the pelvic examination is routine, a right lateral of the pelvis is standard. Following a consistent, repeatable pattern for
obtaining pelvic radiographs ensures the quality of the images will be diagnostic.
UÊTape the thoracic limbs together and pull cranially to help align the vertebral column that will, in turn, aid in keeping the pelvis straight.
UÊPlace the pelvic limbs in a natural flexed position so that the femurs are at approximately ninety degrees to the spine and pelvis.
Collimation UÊCranial Border: The cranial border of the collima- ÌoÀÊli}hÌÊ "6®ÊÃhoÕl`ÊLiÊ«l>Vi`ÊVÀ>ni>lÊÌoÊÌhiÊili>VÊ crest based on palpation.
UÊCaudal Border: The caudal border of the collima- tor light should be placed just caudal to the ischiatic tuberosity.
UÊLateral Borders:Ê loÃiÊÌhiÊVollim>ÌoÀÊ li}hÌÊl>ÌiÀ-
ally so the collimation includes at least the mid to distal femoral level. The stifle joints will need to be radiographed separately as necessary. Add a film m>ÀkiÀÊ,É
side prior to the exposure.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals ÃÌ>LliÃhi`Ê inÊ £9ÈÈ]Ê ÌhiÊ"ÀÌho«i`iVÊ oÕn`>ÌionÊ voÀÊ nim>lýÊ" ®ÊmiÃÃionÊh>ÃÊLiinÊÌo\Ê UÊDistribute information concerning orthopedic and genetic diseases
UÊ `ÕV>ÌiÊ>n`ÊiÃÌ>LliÃhÊVonÌÀolÊ«Ào}À>mÃÊ ÌoÊloÜiÀÊ the incidence of these diseases in animals.
For hip dysplasia certification, OFA requires a straight,
extended-leg ventrodorsal view of the pelvis. UÊThe femurs need to be extended and parallel to each other; the stifle joints need to be rotated internally so the pelvis is straight and symmetric Figure 2®°Ê
UÊ himiV>lÊÀiÃÌÀ>inÌÊiÃÊÀiVommin`i`ÊÌoÊinÃÕÀiÊ>Ê high-quality radiograph the first time and avoid Ài«i>ÌÃÊ>ÌÊÌhiÊoÜniÀ½ÃÊiÝ«inÃi°ÊÊ
Figure 3. Frog-Leg Ventrodorsal Radiograph of Pelvis: (A) Dog positioned for a frog-leg ventrodorsal radiograph. In this case, the dog's legs are allowed to lie outward, somewhat perpendicular to the pelvis. (B) Corresponding radiograph of the dog in A.
January/February 2012 Today's Veterinary Practice 51 B ®ÊvoÀÊi`inÌiviV>ÌionÊovÊÌhiÊÀi}hÌÊoÀÊlivÌÊ
cation, registry, details on radiographic requirements, and forms, veterinarians and/or technicians can visit offa.org.
Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program nÊ£99Î]Ê À°Ê >ilÊ-miÌhÊ vÀomÊÌhiÊ1niÛiÀÃiÌÞÊovÊ*inn-
sylvania School of Veterinary Medicine established the *innÃÞlÛ>ni>Ê i«Ê m«ÀoÛiminÌÊ *Ào}À>mÊ *inn *®Ê distraction technique as a method for assessing coxo- femoral joint laxity. The technique provides a quantitative measure of
V>niniÊ VoÝovimoÀ>lÊ joinÌÊ l>ÝiÌÞÊÕÃin}Ê >Ê ÃÌ>n`>À`iâi`Ê distraction technique:
UÊThe routine views for submission include: » nÊ iÝÌin`i`-li}Ê ÛinÌÀo`oÀÃ>lÊ ÛiiÜÊ ÃÌ>n`>À`Ê " Ê«ÀojiVÌion®
» A flexed pelvic limb ventrodorsal compression view
» A distraction flexed pelvic limb ventrodorsal ÛiiÜÊFigure 4]Ê«>}iÊxÓ®°
A
Small Animal Pelvic Radiography