Artrografia com meio de contraste positivo e duplo contraste em articulação escápulo-umeral de cães

Abstract

The double contrast artrography is a diagnostic method in which positive contrast material (MCP) is injected in the joint space followed by negative contrast in order to outline lesions on the articular surfaces and adjacent structures. Such technique is an effective and minimally invasive procedure which has already been consolidated in human medicine as well as in the equine species with better results than the ones achieved by using usual diagnostic methods. In dogs this is not widely aplied. The present study aimed to describe and evaluate the double contrast artrography technique applied to the escapulo-umeral joint of canine species in once to compare with artrography with MCP in the evaluation of the articular surface of umero s head, intra-articular portion of the biceps muscle s tendon, and articular capsule of the eleven adult dogs. The double contrast within the joint has been produced by combining a small amount of iodine- based half of positive contrast covering the articular surfaces and capsular limits and a larger amount of a negative contrast filling the intra-articular space. The information collected from 4 evaluators have allowed to conclude that in the evaluation of the articular surface of the umero s head the double contrast artrography technique determinates a better image than with MCP. In addition, in the evaluation of the outline of the intra-articular portion of the biceps muscle s tendon the artrography with MCP produced a better image than with double contrast artrography.