title: Evaluation of accuracy of the Finnish elbow dysplasia screening protocol in Labrador retrievers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the current Finnish screening method using a single flexed mediolateral view as scored by osteophyte is sufficient to diagnose mild elbow dysplasia in Labrador retrievers and to determine if an additional craniocaudal oblique projection would result in improvement in the screening protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen dogs with one mildly affected elbow joint and one elbow joint without radiological evidence of osteophytes were studied. Radiographic and computed tomography studies were performed and the results compared with each other.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Medial compartment disease was observed in 14 of 26 joints based on computed tomography. The sensitivity and specificity of the grading based mainly on osteoarthritis was 79 and 92%, respectively. A strong association existed between elbow dysplasia based on computed tomography and medial humeral epicondylar osteophytes on the craniocaudal projection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A single mediolateral flexed radiograph is reliable in diagnosing mild elbow dysplasia in Labrador retrievers. However, the craniocaudal oblique projection increases the specificity of the diagnosis, and it is proposed that it be included in the radiographic protocol in this breed.
authors.affiliation: Section of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lappalainen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mölsä
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Snellman
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Laitinen-Vapaavuori
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000662:veterinary; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D010375:Pedigree; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary