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CC BY 4.0 · VCOT Open 2020; 03(02): e177-e181
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721661
Case Report

Arthroscopic Removal of an Intra-Articular Migrating Plant Awn Associated with Septic Shoulder Joint Arthritis in a Dog

Juan J. Camarasa
1   Department of Surgery, Pride Veterinary Centre, Derby, United Kingdom
,
Olga Travetti
1   Department of Surgery, Pride Veterinary Centre, Derby, United Kingdom
2   VetCT St John's Innovation Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
,
Rosario Vallefuoco
1   Department of Surgery, Pride Veterinary Centre, Derby, United Kingdom
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, advanced imaging findings and outcomes of arthroscopic treatment of a bacterial septic shoulder arthritis caused by the penetration of a migrating plant awn in a dog.

Case Report A 10-month-old, 11 kg, sexually intact male Cocker Spaniel was diagnosed with septic arthritis of the right scapulohumeral joint. Computed tomography revealed marked articular effusion and thickening of the capsule of the right shoulder joint. Ultrasound of the shoulder identified a bilinear hyperechoic structure located within the joint consistent with a plant (grass) awn. Arthroscopy was used for foreign body removal. Antibiotic treatment was prescribed according to bacteriologic sensitivity tests. Treatment was successful: the dog completely recovered and under high levels of activity showed neither clinical signs nor recurrence of lameness on follow-up at 6 and 24 weeks after surgery.

Conclusion Migrating plant awn can be the cause of septic arthritis in a dog. The combination of advanced imaging techniques and arthroscopy allowed accurate diagnosis, reduced the risk of surgical complications and shortened recovery time in this patient. Considering the benefits of minimally invasive techniques, arthroscopy represents an excellent option for the treatment of dogs with similar intra-articular foreign bodies.

Keywords

arthroscopy - arthritis - imaging techniques and analysis - migrating grass awn - dog

Authors' Contributions

R.V. performed the surgical procedure. All authors contributed to the drafting and revision of the manuscript.




Publication History

Received: 09 June 2020

Accepted: 22 October 2020

Article published online:
10 December 2020

© 2020. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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