Diagnostic imaging of osteochondrosis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Canine Orthopedics

Background:

• Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is a common developmental orthopedic disease in dogs.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and prognosis.
• Various imaging modalities can be employed for diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and discuss the utility of different imaging modalities for diagnosing osteochondrosis dissecans in dogs.
• To highlight the role of survey radiography as the initial diagnostic choice.
• To explore supplementary imaging techniques for challenging cases.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging modalities including survey radiography, contrast arthrography, linear tomography, ultrasound, computed tomography, scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance.
• Discussion of the application of each modality in diagnosing OCD in specific joints (shoulder, elbow, stifle, tarsus).

Main Results:

• Survey radiography is the recommended first-line imaging modality for canine OCD.
• Scintigraphy, linear tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be valuable when survey radiography is insufficient.
• Contrast arthrography, computed tomography, and MRI can offer additional diagnostic information for early detection and treatment planning.

Conclusions:

• Survey radiography remains the cornerstone for diagnosing canine osteochondrosis dissecans.
• Advanced imaging techniques provide complementary information, aiding in early diagnosis and guiding treatment strategies for OCD.
• A multimodal imaging approach can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.