Vet360 Vol 4 Issue 4 August 2017 Vet 360 | Page 30

ADVERTORIAL
for wobblers too. MRI will always be better at show-
ing intervertebral disc protrusions, and tumours, but
a correctly exposed CT can give a lot of information,
and once again, may be available when MRI is not an
option. Also, a CT myelogram provides excellent diag-
nostic image quality.
Orthopaedics
CT truly comes into its own for orthopaedic work
within veterinary medicine
Figure 1: CT of the elbow joint
If you are looking for Incomplete Ossification of Hu-
meral condyles, or Fragmented Coronoid process-
es you can see much more detail than you ever will
from a plain radiograph. Some PACS systems include
option for surgery planning, which allows you a full
reconstruction view and ability to import the desired
option of implant to allow for informed surgical deci-
sions prior to the surgery.
Elbows
The elbow is a joint where good quality CT images
can be used to assess small bone fragments, as con-
ventional X-rays have a 2D representation of a 3D
structure which in turn makes it hard to accurately
assess where a fragment of bone or a irregularity are.
The ability to view the elbow from all angles with the
sagittal and axial plains does increase the diagnostic
accuracy above that of plain films. (Figure 1)
Stifles
Once again the ability to perform 3 dimensional re-
constructions of CT images means that for accurately
assessing the stifle CT can be very valuable, especially
of you want to assess the shape of the intercondylar
notch. A study in 2009 (Sammii et al) found a sen-
sitivity and specificity of up to 100 per cent for the
identification of tears of the cranial cruciate ligament
Figure 2: CT of the hock joint
Hocks
The hock is such a complicated joint, that a CT scan
would be imperative work out which bones are in-
volved in a complexed pathology, to help with surgical
planning, and for prognosis. (Figure 2)
For more information on vet-specific CT
scanners or other imaging equipment op-
tions, contact Tim Perks at BCF Technology
South Africa [phone] www.bcftech-
nology.co.za
Summary
Whenever you take a radiograph you are trying on a plain image to take a 3D structure and look at it as if it’s a 2D struc-
ture, but with CT you can see much more minor changes in detail. The ability to generate a 3D model of a malformed
bone and use it for surgical planning is a great step toward a successful surgery and patient recovery. CT is also becom-
ing more regularly used for design of custom made implants for specific surgeries.
The quality of the 3D reconstructions available now is remarkable – the ability to rotate an image around on the screen
in front of the owner gives you a great tool for explaining exactly what the issue is, and how you are intending to treat it.
All modern CT scanners now enable you to do 3D reconstructions, which can better enable you to visualise the pathol-
ogy and how it is affecting the body, and the best surgical route to it, for biopsy or removal.
The main thing to remember though when considering the imaging modality for any patient, is the balance of the infor-
mation you will receive against the time, radiation dose and money that it will cost.
CT will never replace plain X-ray for the initial assessment of a critically injured patient, and careful consideration should
always be made, and asking the advice of a Veterinary Radiologist prior to scanning can help you to ensure the right
modality is being used.
vet360
Issue 04 | AUGUST 2017 | 30