title: Evaluation of surface blood flow in intact and ruptured canine cruciate ligaments using laser Doppler flowmetry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the usefulness of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) to measure surface blood flow in canine cruciate ligaments, compare measurements in different sites of intact and partially ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligaments (CrCL) and intact caudal cruciate ligaments (CaCL), and investigate any association between surface blood flow in partially ruptured CrCL and synovitis or duration of clinical signs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-controlled clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen dogs with partially ruptured CrCL and five dogs with intact CrCL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood cell flux (BCF) readings during three measurement cycles using LDF at two sites in each ligament (mid-substance and the distal portion of the CrCL, and mid-substance and the proximal portion of the CaCL) were recorded. Synovial changes were graded grossly and histologically using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International histopathology scoring system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The within-run coefficients of variation (CV) for a single BCF measurement cycle were 12.2% and 12.7% in the ruptured and intact CrCL groups, respectively. The between-run CV for three measurement cycles was 20.8% and 14.8%, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, absolute agreement) was 0.66 for a single measurement cycle and 0.86 for the average of three cycles. No difference in average BCF readings was found between any two sites in either group, but BCF readings in both CrCL sites were significantly higher in the ruptured CrCL group than the intact CrCL group. No associations between BCF and synovial grades or duration of lameness were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser Doppler flowmetry can be used to assess surface blood flow in intact and partially ruptured canine cruciate ligaments with acceptable precision. Using this method, surface blood flow appears greater in partially ruptured canine CrCL than intact CrCL. Further studies are required to determine if this is a sequela of trauma or synovitis.
authors.forename: Joakim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Testuz
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pozzi
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rytz
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krudewig
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spreng
authors.affiliation: Simone Forterre, DVM, PhD, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 128, 3012 Bern, Switzerland, Phone: +41 31 631 2315, Fax: +41 31 631 2275, E-mail: simone.forterre@vetsuisse.unibe.ch.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forterre
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000662:veterinary*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D012421:Rupture / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Cruciate ligament; blood cell flux; dog; laser Doppler flowmetry; stifle joint