Computed tomography findings in 32 joints affected with severe elbow incongruity and fragmented medial coronoid process.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings in dogs with severe elbow incongruity combined with a fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP) and compare these with normal joints and congruent joints affected by FCP. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical study. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs with elbow lameness (n = 40) and purpose bred dogs (n = 5; controls). METHODS: The CT features of 32 severely incongruent joints with concomitant FCP were compared with those of 32 congruent elbow joints affected with FCP and 10 normal joints. RESULTS: In severely incongruent elbow joints, a radioulnar step and widened joint spaces were visible on each CT plane. Additional features typically seen in severely incongruent elbows were a cyst at the radioulnar transition and fragmentation of the axial border of the medial coronoid incisure. None of these features appeared in normal or in congruent FCP joints. CONCLUSION: On CT, several features associated with severe elbow incongruity and concomitant FCP were detected, which were not found in normal joints or congruent joints affected by FCP.