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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2016; 29(06): 515-521
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-16-01-0015
Clinical Communication
Schattauer GmbH

Clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of gastrocnemius musculotendinopathy in various dog breeds

Susanne M. Kaiser
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Small Animal Clinic, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
,
Oliver Harms
2   Small Animal Clinic, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
3   Tierklinik Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
,
Martin Konar
4   MR Support Service, Massa, Italy
,
Anne Staudacher
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Small Animal Clinic, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
,
Anna Langer
3   Tierklinik Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
,
Cetina Thiel
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Small Animal Clinic, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
,
Martin Kramer
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Small Animal Clinic, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
,
Sebastian Schaub
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Small Animal Clinic, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
,
Kerstin H. von Pückler
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Small Animal Clinic, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 22 January 2016

Accepted: 07 July 2016

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objectives: To describe clinical, radio-graphic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 16 dogs diagnosed with gastrocnemius musculotendinopathy.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation of medical records, radiographs, and MRI results, as well as follow-up completed by telephone questionnaire.

Results: Most dogs had chronic hindlimb lameness with no history of trauma or athletic activities. Clinical examination revealed signs of pain on palpation without stifle joint instability. Seven dogs had radiographic signs of osteophyte formation on the lateral fabella. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed T2 hyperintensity and uptake of contrast agent in the region of the origin of the gastrocnemius muscle. Changes were found in the lateral and medial heads of the gastrocnemius. Conservative treatment resulted in return to full function in 11 dogs. Two dogs showed partial restoration of normal function, one dog showed no improvement. Two dogs were lost to follow-up.

Clinical significance: Gastrocnemius musculotendinopathy is a potential cause of chronic hindlimb lameness in medium to large breed dogs. A history of athletic activity must not necessarily be present. Magnetic resonance imaging shows signal changes and uptake of contrast agent in the region of the origin of the gastrocnemius muscle. A combination of T1 pre- and post-contrast administration and T2 weighted sequences completed by a fat-suppressed sequence in the sagittal plane are well-suited for diagnosis. Conservative treatment generally results in return to normal function.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.3415/VCOT-16-01-0015.

Keywords

Gastrocnemius muscle - radiography - dog - musculotendinopathy - magnetic resonance imaging

 

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