title: Characteristics of bone fractures and usefulness of micro-computed tomography for fracture detection in rabbits: 210 cases (2007-2013).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize bone fractures and the usefulness of micro-CT for imaging fractures in pet rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  210 client-owned rabbits with bone fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of rabbits evaluated for bone fractures from 2007 through 2013 were examined. Information was collected on signalment and nature of fractures, and radiographic and micro-CT images of fractures were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost half (n = 95 [47.7%]) of fractures were in rabbits < 3 years old. Accidental fall was the most common cause. Vertebral fracture was the most common type of fracture with a nonneoplastic cause (n = 46 [23.2%]) and was most common in the L4-L7 region. The tibia was the most common site for limb fracture among all fractures with a nonneoplastic cause (45 [22.7%]). Twelve (5.7%) fractures had a neoplastic cause, and 7 of these were associated with metastatic uterine adenocarcinoma. Females were significantly more likely to have a fracture caused by neoplasia than were males. Compared with radiography, micro-CT provided more detailed fracture information, particularly for complicated fractures or structures (eg, skull, pelvic, vertebral, and comminuted limb fractures).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings were useful for understanding the nature of fractures in pet rabbits and supported the use of micro-CT versus radiography for fracture detection and evaluation.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sasai
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Yukari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tagami
authors.forename: Eiko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seto
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Denda
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamakita
authors.forename: Tomonori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ichihashi
authors.forename: Kensaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furuya
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sasai
authors.forename: Jyoji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamate
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D057805:Pets; D011817:Rabbits; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000662:veterinary*