Radiographic, computed tomographic, and arthroscopic evaluation of experimental radio-ulnar incongruence in the dog.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the diagnostic value of arthroscopy, computed tomography (CT), and radiography for evaluation of radio-ulnar incongruence (RUI).


METHODS
Experimental evaluation of induced progressive RUI.


METHODS
Cadaveric Labrador forelimbs (n=11).


METHODS
The radius was shortened by 1, 2, and 3 mm with a surgical model of RUI. RUI was scored on radiographs, CT (2 radiologists), and arthroscopy (2 surgeons) before and after each modification. The sensitivity and specificity of each modality were compared. The effects of arthroscope and elbow position on arthroscopy observations were evaluated. Agreement between surgeons, radiologists, and each imaging technique and the known status of the elbow was calculated.


RESULTS
Complete arthroscopic sessions had an averaged sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 81.9%. The ability to detect mild incongruity (1 mm step) was greater at the incisure than other locations (P<.001). The average sensitivity and specificity of radiography were 99.3% and 42.4%, and for CT were 85.05% and 45.8%, respectively. The average agreement between imaging techniques and the known status of the elbows was greater with complete arthroscopic sessions (89.75%) than radiography (70.1%) and CT (76.85%). Inter-investigator agreement was greater between surgeons scoring arthroscopic examinations (88.6%) than radiologists scoring CT studies (43.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation of arthroscopic images allows sensitive and reproducible detection of experimental RUI, especially at the incisure. Arthroscopic evaluation of experimental RUI reached a higher diagnostic value than radiographs and CT images, because of its specificity and reproducibility.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnostic value and reproducibility of arthroscopy may compare favorably with those of CT when evaluating RUI in dogs with elbow disease.
Wagner
Kahrma
K
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
Griffon
Dominique J
DJ
Thomas
Micheal W
MW
Schaeffer
David J
DJ
Schulz
Kurt
K
Samii
Valerie F
VF
Necas
Alois
A
D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D002102:Cadaver; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005552:Forelimb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014457:Ulna / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery