Summary
The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonographic diagnosis
of lesions in the canine stifle associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
Thirteen dogs that had a diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture were included
in this prospective clinical study. Two ultrasonographers who were unaware of specific
historical and clinical data performed the sonography with a high frequency (8–16
MHz) linear transducer. Surgical treatment of the affected stifle was performed within
two days of ultrasonography by a surgeon who was unaware of the ultrasonographic findings.
The lesions observed during ultrasonography and arthrotomy were compared at the completion
of the study. Visualisation of the superficial tendons (quadriceps and long digital
extensor) and ligaments (patellar ligament, collateral ligaments) of the stifle using
ultrasonography was excellent. However, the detection of deep stifle ligaments (cranial
cruciate ligament and caudal cruciate ligament) was extremely difficult to perform
using ultrasonography. For cranial cruciate ligament rupture, the sensitivity for
ultrasonographic diagnosis was 15.4%. For meniscal lesions, the sensitivity, specificity,
positive and negative predictive values for ultrasonographic diagnosis were 82%, 93%,
90% and 88% respectively. High frequency ultrasonography is a non-invasive method
for accurately and efficiently detecting superficial ligaments, tendons and meniscal
lesions associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture in the stifle of non-sedated
dogs
Keywords
Stifle - dog - ultrasonography - meniscus - cranial cruciate ligament
