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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2016; 29(05): 361-368
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-15-08-0142
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Evaluation of surface blood flow in intact and ruptured canine cruciate ligaments using laser Doppler flowmetry

Joakim Testuz
1   Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
Judith Howard
1   Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
Antonio Pozzi
2   Department for Small Animals, Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Ulrich Rytz
1   Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
Christiane Krudewig
3   Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
David Spreng
1   Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
Simone Forterre
1   Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 20 August 2015

Accepted: 26 May 2016

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) to measure surface blood flow in canine cruciate ligaments, compare measurements in different sites of intact and partially ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligaments (CrCL) and intact caudal cruciate ligaments (CaCL), and investigate any association between surface blood flow in partially ruptured CrCL and synovitis or duration of clinical signs.

Study design: Case-controlled clinical study.

Animals: Sixteen dogs with partially ruptured CrCL and five dogs with intact CrCL.

Methods: Blood cell flux (BCF) readings during three measurement cycles using LDF at two sites in each ligament (mid-substance and the distal portion of the CrCL, and mid-substance and the proximal portion of the CaCL) were recorded. Synovial changes were graded grossly and histologically using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International histopathology scoring system.

Results: The within-run coefficients of variation (CV) for a single BCF measurement cycle were 12.2% and 12.7% in the ruptured and intact CrCL groups, respectively. The between-run CV for three measurement cycles was 20.8% and 14.8%, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, absolute agreement) was 0.66 for a single measurement cycle and 0.86 for the average of three cycles.

No difference in average BCF readings was found between any two sites in either group, but BCF readings in both CrCL sites were significantly higher in the ruptured CrCL group than the intact CrCL group. No associations between BCF and synovial grades or duration of lameness were identified.

Conclusions: Laser Doppler flowmetry can be used to assess surface blood flow in intact and partially ruptured canine cruciate ligaments with acceptable precision. Using this method, surface blood flow appears greater in partially ruptured canine CrCL than intact CrCL. Further studies are required to determine if this is a sequela of trauma or synovitis.

Keywords

Cruciate ligament - blood cell flux - dog - laser Doppler flowmetry - stifle joint
 

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