Vascular foramina of the metacarpophalangeal sesamoid bones of Greyhounds and their relationship to sesamoid disease.
OBJECTIVE
To apply a novel technique and use the number and size (diameter and mean area) of vascular foramina to estimate potential blood supply in the metacarpophalangeal bones of dogs.


METHODS
28 Greyhounds.


METHODS
The forelimb sesamoid bones of 23 dogs were obtained after dogs were euthanized. Bones were isolated and examined by scanning electron microscopy. The number, diameter, and area of vascular foramina were determined by image analysis. Arterial distribution was assessed by use of resin injection in the sesamoid bones of 5 additional dogs.


RESULTS
Sesamoids 2 and 7 had significantly fewer foramina (mean +/- SE, 38.9+/-2.5) and lower total foramen area (0.55+/-0.04 mm(2)), compared with values for other sesamoids (70.4+/-3.3 foramina and 1.43+/-0.06 mm(2), respectively). Mean area and diameter of foramina of sesamoids 2 and 7 were also smaller in some regions. Comparison of the foramen distribution in dogs with sesamoid disease and clinically normal dogs revealed that for sesamoids 2 and 7, intact sesamoids from dogs with sesamoid disease had a significantly lower total foramen area (20 sesamoids from 9 dogs, 0.45+/-0.04 mm(2)), compared with sesamoids in clinically normal dogs (59 sesamoids from 14 dogs, 0.58+/-0.03 mm(2)). However, for sesamoids other than 2 and 7, dogs with sesamoid disease had a significantly greater foramen area.


CONCLUSIONS
The restriction of vascular foramina in sesamoids 2 and 7 appeared to mirror the disease distribution and disease risk for specific dogs.
Department of Anatomy, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.
Alison
A
Daniel
Richard A
RA
Read
Martin A
MA
Cake
D000818:Animals; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000662:veterinary; D012716:Sesamoid Bones / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*