title: Clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of gastrocnemius musculotendinopathy in various dog breeds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 16 dogs diagnosed with gastrocnemius musculotendinopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective evaluation of medical records, radiographs, and MRI results, as well as follow-up completed by telephone questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most dogs had chronic hindlimb lameness with no history of trauma or athletic activities. Clinical examination revealed signs of pain on palpation without stifle joint instability. Seven dogs had radiographic signs of osteophyte formation on the lateral fabella. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed T2 hyperintensity and uptake of contrast agent in the region of the origin of the gastrocnemius muscle. Changes were found in the lateral and medial heads of the gastrocnemius. Conservative treatment resulted in return to full function in 11 dogs. Two dogs showed partial restoration of normal function, one dog showed no improvement. Two dogs were lost to follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gastrocnemius musculotendinopathy is a potential cause of chronic hindlimb lameness in medium to large breed dogs. A history of athletic activity must not necessarily be present. Magnetic resonance imaging shows signal changes and uptake of contrast agent in the region of the origin of the gastrocnemius muscle. A combination of T1 pre- and post-contrast administration and T2 weighted sequences completed by a fat-suppressed sequence in the sagittal plane are well-suited for diagnosis. Conservative treatment generally results in return to normal function.
authors.affiliation: Dr. med. vet. Susanne Kaiser, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Small Animal Clinic, Justus Liebig University, Frankfurter Straße 108, 35392 Giessen, Germany, Phone: +49 641 993 8512, Fax: +49 641 993 8509, E-mail: Susanne.M.Kaiser@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.
authors.forename: Susanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Konar
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staudacher
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: Cetina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thiel
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schaub
authors.forename: Kerstin H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: von Pückler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013045:Species Specificity; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Gastrocnemius muscle; dog; magnetic resonance imaging; musculotendinopathy; radiography