Comparison of usefulness of different diagnostic procedures in slipped capital femoral epiphysis in cats

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the usefulness of different diagnostic procedures - radiology, computed tomography and histopathology - in slipped femoral epiphysis in cats (SCFE). Case histories of 7 cats and radiographic, computed tomography and histopathological findings for these animals were reviewed and compared with previously published cases of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Three cats underwent computed tomography examination. Contrary to the literature data, the British Shorthair breed was overrepresented in the examined group (57.1%). In five cats, slipped capital femoral epiphysis developed unilaterally, but in one of these cats SCFE had also been diagnosed in the contralateral hip joint 6 months after initial treatment. Patients with SCFE were surgically treated by femoral head and neck amputation. The study suggests that the results of X-ray and computed tomography examinations are comparable. An early diagnosis, with very subtle changes of SCFE detected successfully by computed tomography, could lead to conservative or early surgical treatment. Histopathological findings are helpful in SCFE and confirm the correct diagnosis. Furthermore, the results do not support the theory that slipped capital femoral epiphysis develops mainly in overweight and neutered cats.