title: Computed tomography and radiographic assessment of congruity between the ulnar trochlear notch and humeral trochlea in large breed dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assess the fit between the ulnar trochlear notch (UTN) and humeral trochlea (HT) in elbow radiographs and computed tomography (CT) images by measuring the curvature radii in normal joints.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mediolateral extended view (MLE) and CT were performed on 16 elbows from cadaveric dogs weighing over 20 kg. Curves were traced at the subchondral level from the UTN central ridge and the HT sagittal groove related to the UTN on ~132° joint extension. Curvature radii were achieved using appropriate computer software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intraclass correlation coefficient between MLE/CT measurements were statistically significant, with lower limits of a 95% confidence interval (CI) >0.75. The mean differences between MLE/CT measurements were -0.71 mm (95% CI: -0.97 to -0.45) for UTN and -1.04 mm (95% CI: -1.21 to -0.87) for HT. The UTN and HT curvature radii typology were similar, with maximum radius values at the starting point and two intermediate peaks. The UTN curvature radii were bigger than the HT radii, with the largest differences in the most proximal aspect of the joint and in the second intermediate peak.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on humeroulnar congruity through curvature radii evaluation. The software and methodology proposed enabled an adequate UTN and HT radii curvature assessment in MLE and CT images. Comparative studies in normal and dysplastic dogs of various breeds could better clarify the role of UTN and HT curvature radii in elbow incongruity and dysplasia.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Sofia Alves-Pimenta, MVM, Department of Animal Science, Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro University, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal, Phone: +351 259 350 403, Fax: +351 259 350 480, E-mail: salves@utad.pt.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alves-Pimenta
authors.forename: Mário M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ginja
authors.forename: Armando M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: António J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Melo-Pinto
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Colaço
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007596:Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: Elbow dysplasia; canine; computed tomography; congruity; dog; medial coronoid process; radiographic anatomy