title: A myelographic technique for avian species.
abstract: A post-mortem myelogram was used to diagnose a vertabral fracture in a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). This diagnosis led the authors to believe that myelography would be useful in live birds. In a pilot study using live adult female chickens (Gallus domesticus), mammalian myelographic techniques were modified for avian anatomic differences. A thoracolumbar puncture site was used rather than the lumbar or cisternal site which is commonly used in mammals. The volume of contrast medium needed to produce a diagnostic myelogram in birds (0.8-1.2 ml/kg) was found to be approximately four times that needed in mammals. A 25 gauge spinal needle was used rather than a 23 gauge needle. Myelograms of diagnostic quality were obtained with normal subject recovery. Seizures, the most common post-myelographic complication in mammals, were not observed in any of the birds studied. Avian myelography was found to be a cost effective and humane technique with potential application to avian practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Harr
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Kollias
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rendano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: deLahunta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000293:injuries; D001717:Birds / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000293:injuries; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D009339:Needles / Q000662:veterinary; D010291:Paresis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012640:Seizures / Q000662:veterinary; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol