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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2018; 31(04): 252-260
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1641732
Original Research
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Radiographic Study of Haematogenous Septic Arthritis in Dairy Calves

Caroline Constant
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
Isabelle Masseau
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
Marie Babkine
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
Sylvain Nichols
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
David Francoz
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
Gilles Fecteau
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
Emma Marchionatti
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
Helene Larde
2   Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
Andre Desrochers
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

11 April 2017

20 February 2018

Publication Date:
16 June 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Objectives (1) To develop an evaluation grid to provide a systematic interpretation of calves' articular radiographs, (2) to describe radiographic lesions of septic arthritis in dairy calves less than 6 months of age, (3) to investigate potential associations between demographic data or synovial bacteriological culture results and radiographic lesions (4) to determine whether an association is present between radiographic lesions, their severity and the long-term outcome.

Methods Medical records of 54 calves less than 180 days old treated for septic arthritis between 2009 and 2014 with radiographic images performed in the first 2 days after admission were reviewed.

Results Most common radiographic findings were increased articular joint space height (n = 49), irregularity of the articular surfaces (n = 24) and subchondral bone lysis (n = 24). The number of lesions observed and their severity were associated with older calves (p = 0.02), increased time between onset of clinical signs and admission (p = 0.0001) and the culture of Trueperella pyogenes within the joint (p = 0.02). The radiographic lesions associated with negative long-term prognosis were reduction in the joint space height (p = 0.01) and subchondral bone lysis on weight-bearing surfaces (p = 0.02).

Clinical Significance An evaluation grid designed for veterinarians can facilitate systematic reading of articular radiographs and can be used for dairy calves with a presumptive diagnosis of septic arthritis. This diagnostic tool may aid in establishing a prognosis and decision-making process in terms of treatment.

Keywords

joint - calves - septic arthritis - osteomyelitis - radiography

Author Contributions

Caroline Constant, Isabelle Masseau, Marie Babkine, and Andre Desrochers contributed to conception of study, study design, acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. Sylvain Nichols and David Francoz contributed to study design, acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. Gilles Fecteau contributed to conception of study, acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. Emma Marchionatti contributed to acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. Helene Larde contributed to acquisition of data. All authors drafted and revised and approved the submitted manuscript.


Supplementary Material

 

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