Diagnostic imaging of orthopaedic problems in small animals: a practical guide

| 6 Iams Clinical Nutrition Symposium | 2006 Iams Clinical Nutrition Symposium | 2006 Introduction The history of musculoskeletal imaging begins with Roentgen’s discovery of X-rays in 1895. Plain radiography has since become the initial, and in many cases, the only imaging modality for the diagnosis and follow up of joint abnormalities. Over the years, however, radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons became aware of the importance of the diagnosis of not only bony conditions but also of a diverse variety of soft-tissue conditions. However, we must be on guard against imaging complacency. The ‘perfect’ imaging protocol does not exist because imaging parameters will be both patient and disease specific. When assessing image quality, we must consider both contrast resolution and spatial resolution. Contrast resolution refers to the ability to distinguish different normal tissues and normal from abnormal tissue. Spatial resolution refers to the ability to depict and distinguish small objects that are in close proximity. In humans, musculoskeletal imaging utilising arthrography, scintigraphy, computerised tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US) and arthroscopy are used on a daily basis. In veterinary orthopaedics, plain radiography was the routine imaging technique for both diagnostic and follow-up purposes, for decades, and is still routinely used as a common practice. However, more and more, the veterinary profession has access to increasingly sophisticated technology like CT and MRI. Also arthroscopy has become interesting for veterinary orthopaedic surgeons for the diagnosis and treatment of several joint diseases and has become a routine procedure in several orthopaedic clinics. All these imaging techniques have their merits but also their limits (see table 1 at the end of this text). Professor Dr. Henri van Bree DVM, PhD, DipECVDI, DipECVS