Diagnostic accuracy of positive contrast computed tomography arthrography for the detection of injuries to the medial meniscus in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness of computed tomography arthrography of the stifle in diagnosing meniscal tears in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency.


METHODS
A prospective clinical study was performed. Dogs were included if they had evidence of cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency or persistent or recurrent lameness following surgery for cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency. Dogs were sedated for a computed tomography scan of the affected stifle, orientated in the dorsal plane. A survey computed tomography scan was followed by a computed tomography arthrogram. A stifle arthrotomy was performed, and the surgical findings were recorded. The computed tomography scans were reviewed by three blinded reviewers, and the results were compared to the surgical findings.


RESULTS
Twenty-one computed tomography arthrograms from 20 dogs were included. At surgery, damage to the medial meniscus was identified in 14 stifles. Initial interpretation of computed tomography arthrography images was 57 to 64 per cent sensitive and 71 to 100 per cent specific for diagnosing medial meniscal injuries. Interpretation of the images on retrospective analysis was 71 per cent sensitive and 100 per cent specific, with an accuracy of 0.857.


CONCLUSIONS
The accuracy of stifle computed tomography arthrography for the diagnosis of tears to the medial meniscus was found to be good. It is a minimally invasive and repeatable technique, which does not require general anaesthesia or specialist training to obtain the images. The ability to reliably diagnose meniscal injury without the need for surgery may be advantageous, particularly in dogs which had previously had surgery for cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency.
Tivers
M S
MS
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
Mahoney
P N
PN
Baines
E A
EA
Corr
S A
SA
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001175:Arthrography / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013264:Stifle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*
D003287:Contrast Media