Ultrasound-assisted periconal ocular blockade in rabbits

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the benefit and specifically the feasibility of using ultrasound in ophthalmologic periconal block, and the occurrence of complications.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsTen healthy New Zealand White rabbits (6-8months of age), weighing 2.0-3.5kg.MethodsRabbits were anesthetized by intramuscular injection of acepromazine (1mgkg(-1)), ketamine (30mgkg(-1)) and xylazine (3mgkg(-1)). Ultrasound-assisted periconal block with lidocaine was performed on 18 eyes. Intraocular pressure was measured by applanation tonometry whereas corneal sensitivity was assessed using an esthesiometer, before and after each periconal anesthesia.ResultsIn all 18 eyes, it was possible to adequately visualize the needle shaft within the periconal space, as well as muscular cone, optic nerve and local anesthetic solution spread. Lidocaine 2% without epinephrine (0.790.19mL) was injected into the periconal space. There was no statistical difference between the intraocular pressure (meanSD) measured before (10.9 +/- 2.9mmHg) and after (11.9 +/- 3.8mmHg) the periconal anesthesia (p=0.38). The effectiveness of the ultrasound-assisted technique was shown according to the values for corneal sensitivity, assessed before and after periconal anesthesia (p<0.0001). Complications were not observed in this study.ConclusionsEye ultrasonography allowed visualization of all anatomic structures necessary to perform a periconal block, as well as the needle insertion and anesthetic spread in real time. Further studies are required to prove the real potential of ultrasound for reducing the incidence of complications associated with ophthalmic blocks, especially when anatomic disorders of the eye could potentially increase the risk.Clinical relevanceUltrasonography is a painless, noninvasive tool that may improve safety of ophthalmic regional blocks, potentially by reducing the prevalence of globe perforation or penetration of the optic nerve associated with the needle-based techniques.

B-Mode and doppler sonography of the mammary glands in dairy goats for mastitis diagnosis

Contents This study aimed to evaluate the sonographic characteristics of the udder and teats and to determine the Doppler indexes of mammary artery in healthy and undergoing subclinical and clinical mastitis goats. Thirty animals among Saanen and Alpine Brown goats were arranged in three groups, healthy goats (HG), goats with subclinical mastitis (SMG) and goats with clinical mastitis (CMG). Using the B-mode, the sonographic characteristics (echotexture and echogenicity) and biometry (diameter and area of the udder cistern, diameter and area of the teat cistern and thickness of the teat wall) were evaluated. Using Doppler ultrasonography, the vascular indexes of the mammary artery were obtained. It was observed hyperechogenicity with solid component in the gland cistern when comparing animals with clinical mastitis and healthy mammary tissue. Regarding the echotexture of the breast tissue, there was heterogeneity in the mammary parenchyma on the three groups, for the milk, it was observed homogeneity for animals on HG and SMG and heterogeneity for animals on CMG. Grey-scale quantitative assessment revealed increase in echogenicity (mean value) for all the structures when comparing the three groups. Biometry did not reveal statistical difference between groups, for none of the evaluated structures. Doppler examination of the mammary artery showed the decrease of end diastolic velocity and raise of pulsatility index between groups. The association of B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography is useful for the evaluation of the udder of dairy goats with mastitis. It is a sensitive and specific method for the study of this disease. Doppler mode was unable to establish reliable criteria for diagnosis of subclinical mastitis. Moreover, the quantification of echogenicity is a useful technique for the evaluation of the milk in animals with mastitis; therefore, it is suggested that it can be used as complementary technique for the diagnosis of mastitis in goats.

Development of a new clean methodology with ultrasound-assisted extraction for analysis of sodium in pet foods

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The effect of power-ultrasound on the pretreatment of acidified aqueous solutions of banana flower-stalk: Structural, chemical and statistical analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comparison of anesthetic efficacy and adverse effects associated with peribulbar injection of ropivacaine performed with and without ultrasound guidance in dogs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação da pressão arterial sistêmica em cães obesos: comparação entre os métodos oscilométrico e doppler ultrassônico

Obesity is the most common nutritional problem in dogs and it can cause various harmful effects on animal health. However, the effect of this condition on systolic blood pressure (SBP) in obese dogs is controversial. The indirect method of measuring PAS is the most commonly used in veterinary medicine for the diagnosis of systemic hypertension, because it is more practical and easy to access. There is little scientific information about the comparison of the two non- invasive methods of measurement of blood pressure in obese dogs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the SBP in obese dogs by comparing both indirect methods of measuring blood pressure, with oscillometric and doppler vascular in order to verify the differences in blood pressure values, but also the best method to assess the SBP dogs in this body score condition. The study complain blood pressure measurement of 50 dogs, with were divided in obese dogs with mean body condition score (BCS) of 8.42 +/- 0.50 (n = 25) and dogs with ideal BCS of 4.56 +/- 0.51 (n = 25). At comparison of blood pressure values, SBP values obtained by doppler method (152 +/- 16mmHg) were higher than the oscillometric (136 +/- 11mmHg). Correspondence analysis determined by multivariate statistical analysis showed correlation between body condition and the procedure of the SBP. These findings suggest that the indirect method doppler can better reflect the SBP in obese dogs.

Early fetoscopic tracheal occlusion for extremely severe pulmonary hypoplasia in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Preliminary results

Objective: To evaluate the effect of early fetoscopictracheal occlusion (FETO) (22–24 weeks’ gestation) onpulmonary response and neonatal survival in cases ofextremely severe isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH). Methods: This was a multicenter study involving fetuseswith extremely severe CDH (lung-to-head ratio < 0.70,liver herniation into the thoracic cavity and no otherdetectable anomalies). Between August 2010 and December 2011, eight fetuses underwent early FETO. Datawere compared with nine fetuses that underwent standard FETO and 10 without fetoscopic procedure fromJanuary 2006 to July 2010. FETO was performed undermaternal epidural anesthesia, supplemented with fetalintramuscular anesthesia. Fetal lung size and vascularitywere evaluated by ultrasound before and every 2 weeksafter FETO. Postnatal therapy was equivalent for bothtreated fetuses and controls. Primary outcome was infantsurvival to 180 days and secondary outcome was fetalpulmonary response. Results: Maternal and fetal demographic characteristicsand obstetric complications were similar in the threegroups (P > 0.05). Infant survival rate was significantlyhigher in the early FETO group (62.5%) comparedwith the standard group (11.1%) and with controls(0%) (P < 0.01). Early FETO resulted in a significantimprovement in fetal lung size and pulmonary vascularitywhen compared with standard FETO (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Early FETO may improve infant survival byfurther increases of lung size and pulmonary vascularityin cases with extremely severe pulmonary hypoplasia inisolated CDH. This study supports formal testing of thehypothesis with a randomized controlled trial.

Comparison of imaging methods for diagnosis of renal tumors and their calcifications

Background: To establish the best methodology for diagnosis and management of patients with solid and complex renal masses by comparing the costs and benefits of different imaging methods and to improve differential diagnosis of these benign and malignant lesions, particularly by investigating tumour calcifications. Methods: We performed a prospective study on 31 patients with solid or complex masses by submitting them to Abdominal Ultrasonography (US), Doppler Ultrasonography of the renal mass (US Dop), Computed Tomography (CT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Results: We found 28 patients with malignant and three with benign masses. Of the 28 malignant, 17 showed calcifications at CT; 16 central and one was of the pure peripheral curvilinear type (egg shell). Excretory Urography (IVP) had a significantly lower detection rate for central calcifications than both US and CT. Benign and malignant masses appeared as described in literature, with US, CT and MRI showing high sensitivity and specificity in renal tumor diagnosis. The exception was US Dop where we obtained lower sensitivity for the characterization of malignant tumor flow. Conclusions: In this series we were surprised to find that CT revealed central calcifications in 51.6% of patients, all with malignant lesions, while, literature reports a frequency of calcification in renal cell carcinoma between 8 and 22%, in studies using abdominal films and EU (IVP). This finding is of great importance when we consider that these calcifications occur particularly in malignant neoplasms. As a result of comparing these different imaging methods we have developed a better methodology for renal tumor investigation.

Sedoanalgesia with midazolam and fentanyl citrate controls probe pain during prostate biopsy by transrectal ultrasound

To assess the pain intensity of patients administered midazolam and fentanyl citrate before undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. This was a study in patients with different indications for prostate biopsy in whom 5 mg of midazolam and 50 µg of fentanyl citrate was administered intravenously 3 minutes before the procedure. After biopsy, pain was assessed by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS) in three stages: VAS 1, during probe introduction; VAS 2, during needle penetration into prostate tissue; and VAS 3, in the weeks following the exam. Pain intensity at these different times was tested with stratification by age, race, education, prostate volume, rebiopsy, and anxiety before biopsy. Pain was ranked according to the following scores: 0 (no pain), 1-3 (mild pain), 4-7 (moderate pain), and 8-10 (severe pain). Statistical analysis was performed by using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon two-tailed tests with a significance of 5%. Pain intensity was not influenced by any risk factors. The mean VAS 1 score was 1.95±1.98, the mean VAS 2 score was 2.73±2.55, and the mean VAS 3 score was 0.3±0.9, showing greater pain at the time of needle penetration than in other situations (VAS 2>VAS 1>VAS 3, p=0.0013, p=0.0001, respectively). Seventy-five percent of patients reported a VAS pain scale of less than 3.1 or mild pain. Intravenous sedation and analgesia with midazolam and fentanyl citrate is a good method for reducing pain caused by prostate biopsy, even during probe insertion.

Ultrasound effect in the removal of intraradicular posts cemented with different materials

This study evaluated the effect of ultrasonic vibration on the tensile strength required to remove intraradicular post cemented with different materials. Bovine teeth were selected, and 7 mm of the cervical root canals were prepared to size 5 Largo drill, the posts were cemented with zinc phosphate, Enforce (resin) or Rely X (glass ionomer). The specimens were divided into six groups (n = 10), according to the following procedures: GI-cementation with zinc phosphate associated with traction force; GII-cementation with zinc phosphate associated with ultrasonic activation and traction force; G111-cementation with Enforce associated with traction force; GIV-cementation with Enforce associated with ultrasonic activation and traction force; GV-cementation with Rely X associated with traction force; and GVI-cementation with Rely X associated with ultrasonic activation and traction force. The tensile test was conducted using the electromechanical testing machine, the force was determined by a specialized computer program and ultrasonic activation using the Jet Sonic Four Plus (Gnatus) device in 10P. Concerning to average ranking, GI showed statistically significant difference in comparison with GII and GVI (p < 0.05); there was no statistical difference in GIII and GIV when compared to other groups (p > 0.05). The ultrasound favored the intraradicular post traction regardless of the employed cement in greater or lesser extent. The post removal is a routine practice in the dental office, therefore, new solutions and better alternatives are need to the practitioner. We did not find in the literature many articles referring to this practice. Thus, the results from this study are relevant in the case planning and to promote more treatment options.

A genomewide association mapping study using ultrasound-scanned information identifies potential genomic regions and candidate genes affecting carcass traits in Nellore cattle

The aim of this study was to identify candidate genes and genomic regions associated with ultrasound-derived measurements of the rib-eye area (REA), backfat thickness (BFT) and rumpfat thickness (RFT) in Nellore cattle. Data from 640 Nellore steers and young bulls with genotypes for 290 863 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used for genomewide association mapping. Significant SNP associations were explored to find possible candidate genes related to physiological processes. Several of the significant markers detected were mapped onto functional candidate genes including ARFGAP3, CLSTN2 and DPYD for REA; OSBPL3 and SUDS3 for BFT; and RARRES1 and VEPH1 for RFT. The physiological pathway related to lipid metabolism (CLSTN2, OSBPL3, RARRES1 and VEPH1) was identified. The significant markers within previously reported QTLs reinforce the importance of the genomic regions, and the other loci offer candidate genes that have not been related to carcass traits in previous investigations.

Reliable assessment of forearm photoageing by high-frequency ultrasound: a cross-sectional study

High-frequency ultrasound is a non-invasive tool used in skin ageing research to assess dermis thickness and echogenicity. This study evaluated the reliability of a range of high-frequency ultrasound parameters and tested their correlation with age and a validated clinical scale for the assessment of forearm skin photoageing; the difference between two body sites according to environmental exposition patterns was also investigated. Twenty-three volunteers aged 28-82 years were divided into three groups according to forearm photoageing degree. A 20 MHz ultrasound unit was used to obtain cross-sectional images of the skin by two trained investigators on two different sites: the dorsal forearm (chronically photoexposed skin) and the proximal medial arm (non-photoexposed skin). Several echogenicity parameters were studied for each skin compartment: total dermis, upper dermis and lower dermis, and the ratio between upper and lower dermis. The intraclass correlation coefficient (for complete agreement) between investigators was higher for upper and total dermis echogenicity measures compared with the lower dermis. At the non-photoexposed site, the upper and lower dermis parameter ratio was better correlated with age. At the photoexposed area, total dermis parameters demonstrated higher correlations with clinical score. The authors discuss the choice of parameters for forearm photoageing assessment using high-frequency ultrasound.

Avaliação hepática de cães naturalmente infectados por leishmaniose visceral canina: aspectos ultrassonográficos modo B e Doppler

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of lineage of oocyte donor on the yield and morphology of oocytes recovered by ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration in nellore cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of lineage of oocytes donors on the number and quality of oocytes obtained through ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration in Nellore breed cows derived from two lineages of bulls (Karvadi; K and Taj-Mahal; T). Both maternal (Km and Tm) and paternal (Kp and Tp) lineages, as well as their combinations were investigated. Oocyte aspirations were repeatedly performed with an aspiration interval of 15 days in 56 donor females. Recovered cumulus oocyte-complexes (COCs) were counted, morphologically examined and classified into seven categories (grades from I to VII) according to the number of layers of the cumulus oocyte and cytoplasm appearance. The mean number of oocytes retrieved from donors of lineage Tp-Tm was significantly higher (28.23±1.92, P<0.05) than those obtained from lineages Kp-Tm, Kp-Km, and Tp-Km (21.34±1.32, 21.28±1.73, and 16.72±1.31, respectively). There was no significant difference in the mean number of recovered oocytes between donors of lineages Kp-Km and Kp-Tm, whereas animals of lineage Tp-Km yielded the lowest number of oocytes. Higher mean number of grade III oocytes was recovered from donors of lineage Kp than lineage Tp (10.11±0.66 versus 8.79±0.58, respectively), with more grade III oocytes being obtained in both lineages as compared to the others. Paternal lineage did not influence the quality of recovered oocytes in any other category, but both Kp and Tp yielded a great mean number of oocytes graded as I, II, and III (3.14±0.21; 4.93±0.33, and 10.11±0.66 versus 3.19±0.21, 5.59±0.44, and 8.79±0.58, respectively) than those classified as IV, V, VI, and VII. However, when considering the data from the maternal lineage significantly more oocytes (P<0.05) of grade I, II and III were obtained from Taj-Mahal (11.67 ± 0.67, 5.9±0.42 and 3.64±0.25, respectively) than for lineage Karvadi, with similar results for oocytes of grades IV, V, VI, and VII. Similarly to the paternal lineage, the number of oocytes of grade III was superior (P<0.05) when compared to other categories for both lineages. In conclusion, we demonstrate here a direct influence of lineage of oocyte donor on the production and quality of oocytes obtained through ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration in Nellore cows.

Use of power doppler for the assessment of vascularization in equine tendinitis treated with mesenchymal stem cells

Tendinous lesions are very common in athlete horses. The process of tendon healing is slow and the quality of the new tissue is often inferior to the original, leading in many cases to recurrence of the lesion. One of the main reasons for the limited healing capacity of tendons is its poor vascularization. At present, cell therapy is used in equine practice for the treatment of several disorders including tendinitis, desmitis and joint disease. However, there is little information regarding the mechanisms of action of these cells during tissue repair. It is known that Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) release several growth factors at the site of implantation, some of which promote angiogenesis. Comparison of blood flow using power Doppler ultrasonography was performed after the induction superficial digital flexor tendon tendinitis and implantation of adipose tissue-derived MSCs in order to analyze the effect of cell therapy on tendon neovascularization. For quantification of blood vessel histopathological examinations were conducted. Increased blood flow and number of vessels was observed in treated tendons up to 30 days after cell implantation, suggesting promotion of angiogenesis by the cell therapy.