Magnetic resonance arthrography of the cubital joint in dogs affected with fragmented medial coronoid processes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate efficacy of intra-articular injection of gadolinium tetra- azacyclododecane tetraacetic acid (gadolinium-DOTA) for delineating fragmented medial coronoid processes (FMCP) and lesions on the medial aspect of the humeral condyle (MAHC).


METHODS
14 cubital joints in 9 dogs.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed with and without intra-articular injection of a solution of 2 mmol of gadolinium-DOTA/L. Arthrographic images obtained after injection of contrast medium were compared with those obtained without contrast medium. Evidence of contrast medium around or in the medial coronoid process and infiltration of contrast medium in subchondral bone lesions was recorded. Twenty-four hours after imaging, arthroscopy was performed, and lesions detected were correlated with results of MRI.


RESULTS
An abnormal coronoid process was diagnosed in 13 of 14 joints. A fragmented process (free) was seen in 7 of 14 joints; nondisplaced mineralized medial (in situ) coronoid processes were evident in 4 joints; and nondisplaced unmineralized medial coronoid processes were evident in 2 joints. Lesions on the MAHC were diagnosed in 4 of 12 joints. In 5 joints, a hyperintense signal resulted from contrast medium that infiltrated between the fragmented process and ulna. In 2 joints, contrast medium did not infiltrate completely around the process and was stopped by an isointense structure (ie, abnormal cartilage). Subchondral bone lesions were enhanced by use of contrast medium.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of arthrography enabled us to identify FMCP easily, but did not provide important additional information about changes on the medial coronoid process, compared with MRI performed without contrast medium.
Snaps
F R
FR
Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium.
Park
R D
RD
Saunders
J H
JH
Balligand
M H
MH
Dondelinger
R F
RF
D000818:Animals; D001175:Arthrography / Q000662:veterinary; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology
D003287:Contrast Media; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C050823:gadolinium 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetate