Radiodensity of medial coronoid process in dogs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect radiodensity of a medial coronoid process of elbow joints with a medial coronoid disease and normal elbow joints in dogs. The study includes 91 large and giant breed dogs at the age from 6 to 30 months. Medial coronoid disease was diagnosed in 65 dogs and 26 dogs had normal elbow joints. Computed tomography was performed with Philips MX - 16 CT scanner and imaging data analysis performed using Horos v.2.2.0 software. CT technical data included 140 kVp, 250 mAs, 1 second rotation time and 0.75 slice thickness. The density of a medial coronoid process (MCP) was measured by two unrelated measurement methods. The study describes Hounsfield unit values in different areas of MCP in normal elbow joints and in medial coronoid disease affected joints. In 91.8% cases, MCP subchondral sclerosis observed with MCP fragmentation or fissure. We conclude that both bone density measurement methods are suitable for veterinary diagnostic imaging and can be used to evaluate canine elbow joints.