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Portosystemic shunts (PSS) are rare vascular anomalies in cats. Transsplenic portal scintigraphy (TSPS) can aid in diagnosing PSS in cats. Although the actual performance of the scan remains the same between species, it is questionable whether the generally accepted transit time of seven seconds for small dogs can be applied to cats, thereby influencing shunt fraction (SF) calculation. In this study, normal mean transit time and SF were determined in a population of cats without PSS following two methods established in canine medicine. For both, the mean ± SD transit time was calculated as 6.75 ± 1.58 seconds and 7.40 ± 1.64 seconds respectively, without significant difference between both methods. The results confirmed the validity of the generally used transit time of seven seconds for SF calculation in cats. The average normal SF (± SD) for the cats in this study was 0.73 % (±0.74; range 0.11-2.48%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift is the property of Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the clinical and diagnostic characteristics, as well as outcomes of radioiodine treatment in dogs with hyperthyroidism caused by a non‐resectable ectopic thyroid tumour. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records between 2008 and 2018 of dogs diagnosed with hyperthyroidism secondary to a non‐resectable ectopic thyroid tumour and treated with radioiodine. Results: Five dogs were included in the study. Three dogs had sublingual ectopic tumours, of which one also had a unilateral cervical thyroid tumour. The remaining two dogs were diagnosed with an ectopic thyroid tumour at the level of the caudal pharynx and the heart base, respectively. All cases were treated with radioiodine. The size of the ectopic masses decreased after radioiodine treatment. Total thyroxine concentrations returned to reference ranges in all dogs. Further, clinical signs of hyperthyroidism disappeared after treatment in all patients. One dog developed myelosuppression secondary to radioiodine treatment. The dog with metastasis had a very short survival compared to the four dogs without metastasis (3 months compared to 7, 36, 50 and 24 months, respectively) and succumbed most likely to thyroid‐related problems. In the remaining four dogs, their quality of life improved. They died due to diseases unrelated to the ectopic thyroid tumour. Clinical Significance: Radioiodine therapy should be considered as a treatment option in dogs diagnosed with hyperthyroidism due to a non‐resectable ectopic thyroid tumour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thirteen-year-old, male, castrated, non-azotemic European Shorthair was presented for treatment of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid scintigraphy using Tc99m showed bilaterally enlarged thyroid glands with an increased thyroid to salivary (T/S) ratio. The cat was treated with an intravenous injection of 4.84 mCi (179MBa) 131I. One year later, the cat showed clinical deterioration, including lethargy, weight loss and a louder heart murmur; iatrogenic hypothyroidism was diagnosed. Concurrently, renal parameters were elevated compared to the pre-treatment values. Supplementation with levothyroxine was started. Four months later, the cat was euthyroid and improved creatinine values were noted. In this case report, the diagnosis and management of iatrogenic hypothyroidism in cats and the interplay with renal function are described. An algorithm with recommendations regarding diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of these cats is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are significant problems in the aftermath of a burn injury and they often co-occur. Catastrophizing has been linked to both phenomena. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying role of catastrophizing in PTSD symptoms and pain following burns.Methods: This prospective study included 216 patients with burns. PTSD symptoms and pain were measured during hospitalization (T1) and 6 (T2) and 12 months (T3) postburn. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) indexed PTSD symptoms. Acute pain (T1) was the mean pain during the first two weeks of hospitalization measured using an 11-point graphic numeric rating scale. Chronic pain was indexed using the single item 'average' pain from the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Catastrophizing was measured at T1 and T2 using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM).Results: The results showed that T2 catastrophizing mediated between acute and chronic PTSD symptoms, and T3 pain. Furthermore, the study revealed significant associations between catastrophizing, PTSD symptoms and pain at the respective measurements, and significant longitudinal associations between the constructs.Conclusion: A negative cognitive-affective response to a burn event, such as catastrophizing, mediated the relationship between acute and chronic PTSD symptoms and later chronic pain. Screening for catastrophizing and acute PTSD symptoms is recommended to identify persons at risk for chronic PTSD symptoms and pain.Significance: The identification of individuals who have the tendency to catastrophize may assist in finding those at risk for development of both chronic PTSD symptoms and chronic pain. Individuals may benefit from early psychological therapy focussing on catastrophizing and acute PTSD symptoms that may ameliorate both chronic PTSD symptoms and pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound examination (CEUS) is a functional imaging technique allowing noninvasive assessment of tissue perfusion. Studies in humans show that the technique holds great potential to be used in the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, data in veterinary medicine are currently lacking. Objectives: To evaluate renal perfusion using CEUS in cats with CKD. Animals: Fourteen client‐owned cats with CKD and 43 healthy control cats. Methods: Prospective case‐controlled clinical trial using CEUS to evaluate renal perfusion in cats with CKD compared to healthy control cats. Time‐intensity curves were created, and perfusion parameters were calculated using off‐line software. A linear mixed model was used to examine differences between perfusion parameters of cats with CKD and healthy cats. Results: In cats with CKD, longer time to peak and shorter mean transit times were observed for the renal cortex. In contrast, a shorter time to peak and rise time were seen for the renal medulla. The findings for the renal cortex indicate decreased blood velocity and shorter total duration of enhancement, likely caused by increased vascular resistance in CKD. Increased blood velocity in the renal medulla has not been described before and may be because of a different response to regulatory factors in cortex and medulla. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound examination was capable of detecting perfusion changes in cats with CKD. Further research is warranted to assess the diagnostic capabilities of CEUS in early stage of the disease process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hyperthyroidism and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common in elderly cats. Consequently, both diseases often occur concurrently. Furthermore, renal function is affected by thyroid status. Because changes in renal perfusion play an important role in functional renal changes in hyperthyroid cats, investigation of renal perfusion may provide novel insights. Objectives To evaluate renal perfusion in hyperthyroid cats with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Animals A total of 42 hyperthyroid cats was included and evaluated before and 1 month after radioiodine treatment. Methods Prospective intrasubject clinical trial of contrast-enhanced ultrasound using a commercial contrast agent (SonoVue) to evaluate renal perfusion. Time-intensity curves were created, and perfusion parameters were calculated by off-line software. A linear mixed model was used to examine differences between pre- and post-treatment perfusion parameters. Results An increase in several time-related perfusion parameters was observed after radioiodine treatment, indicating a decreased blood velocity upon resolution of the hyperthyroid state. Furthermore, a small post-treatment decrease in peak enhancement was present in the renal medulla, suggesting a lower medullary blood volume. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Contrast-enhanced ultrasound indicated a higher cortical and medullary blood velocity and higher medullary blood volume in hyperthyroid cats before radioactive treatment in comparison with 1-month post-treatment control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift is the property of Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift is the property of Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift is the property of Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There is increasing knowledge that patients can be predisposed to a certain disease by genetic variations in their DNA. Extensive genetic variation has been described in molecules involved in short- and long-term complications after lung transplantation (LTx), such as primary graft dysfunction (PGD), acute rejection, respiratory infection, chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), and mortality. Several of these studies could not be confirmed or were not reproduced in other cohorts. However, large multicenter prospective studies need to be performed to define the real clinical consequence and significance of genotyping the donor and receptor of a LTx. The current review presents an overview of genetic polymorphisms (SNP) investigating an association with different complications after LTx. Finally, the major drawbacks, clinical relevance, and future perspectives will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hyperthyroidism is the most diagnosed endocrine disorder in cats and radioiodine (131I) is the treatment of choice. The dose emission rate and radioactivity in urine, saliva, and on hair and paws are determined by the dose of administered 131I. A dose reduction of therapeutic 131I could possibly be achieved after recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) administration as in humans with nodular goiter. Hypothesis: rhTSH will increase radioiodine uptake in hyperthyroid cats. Animals: Five hyperthyroid cats. Methods: Twenty-five micrograms rhTSH (day 1) or 2 mL 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) (day 9) was injected IV. One hour later, 11.4 ± 4.1 (mean ± SD) MBq 123I was injected IV. Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) was measured 6, 12, and 24 hours after rhTSH (RAIU-rhTSH) or NaCl (RAIU-blanco) injection. Blood samples for measurement of TT4 were taken before injection of rhTSH or NaCl (TT40) and at the time of imaging. Results: Percentages of RAIU-rhTSH (and RAIU-blanco) at 6, 12, and 24 hours after administration of rhTSH were 34 ± 18 (31 ± 21), 46 ± 20 (38 ± 18), and 47 ± 15 (36 ± 14). There was a statistically significant effect of rhTSH administration on RAIU ( P= .043) but not on serum TT4 concentration. Baseline serum TT40 concentration influenced RAIU-rhTSH significantly at 6 hours ( P= .037). Conclusion and Clinical Importance: The increased RAIU observed after rhTSH administration in hyperthyroid cats could lead to a lower therapeutic dose of 131I after rhTSH administration in hyperthyroid cats and decreased risk of environmental and owner contamination during and after hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic kidney failure is frequently seen in middle-aged and elderly cats. 51Chromium-ethylene diaminic tetraacetic acid (51Cr-EDTA) clearance and single blood sample (SBS) method are used in several species to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Hypothesis: The hypothesis of this study was that 51Cr-EDTA clearance could be determined using an SBS method in normal and hyperthyroid cats. Animals: Forty-six cats were included in this study, with an average age of 9.5 years. Of these cats, 27 had hyperthyroidism; 19 were healthy. Methods: After IV injection of 51Cr-EDTA (average dose: 4.25 MBq), 7 blood samples were obtained between 5 and 240 minutes. Reference clearance was calculated in mL/min and mL/min/kg body weight, using a 2-compartment model. Optimal time for clearance measurement with SBS was then determined by systematically comparing each individual plasma concentration to the reference multisample clearance. Results: The average reference plasma clearance of 51Cr-EDTA for all cats was 14.9 mL/min (3.7 mL/min/kg). The clearance in hyperthyroid cats averaged 16.4 mL/min (4.3 mL/min/kg) and in normal cats averaged 10.3 mL/min (2.4 mL/min/kg). The optimal time for the SBS was 48 minutes after injection of tracer 51Cr-EDTA ( R2= 0.9414), giving the following converting equation: clearance = (0.0066 × DV48 minutes) – 0.9277 (in mL/min). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: In this study, the single sample 51Cr-EDTA clearance method was used to estimate the global GFR in cats. The method identified differences in clearance between normal and hyperthyroid cats. The optimal time for an SBS was 48 minutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[123I]-iodo-l-phenylalanine was successfully evaluated for gamma camera imaging in vivo in tumor-bearing athymic mice and in humans with brain tumors. Here, we report the use of this tracer in two dogs with synovial cell sarcoma of the tarsus. [123I]-iodo-l-phenylalanine was quantitatively prepared as a kit formulation using the Cu1+-assisted nucleophilic exchange. Rapid [123I]-2-iodo-l-phenylalanine tumor accumulation was observed with good tumor to background contrast and rapid clearance in these two dogs. This radiopharmaceutical is a promising alternative tumor tracer to overcome the known limitations of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and, when labelled with radioiodine-131, has the potential to be used for therapeutic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anaesthesist is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Postoperative neurological sequelae in patients that have received epidural anaesthesia are not necessarily caused by the epidural anaesthetic technique. As a whole, adverse neurological outcomes following epidural anaesthesia may be subdivided into 3 different ethiological categories. A first category involves events that are not at all caused by the epidural, but merely due to the interference of anaesthesia and/or surgery with a preexisting medical condition. A second category includes mishaps such as backache, arachnoiditis, and post-dural puncture headache that are solely due to the epidural anaesthesia. Finally, epidural anaesthesia may be a contributory factor in the development of post-anaesthetic complications attributable to a pre-existing medical condition that are triggered by anaesthesia, surgery or childbirth. These complications include some of the most dramatic sequelae of major neuraxial blockade, such as spinal epidural abscess, spinal infarction, and spinal hematoma. Although extremely rare, the latter complications often result in permanent major neurological deficits. The present manuscript is a review of the most recent, literature addressing post-anaesthetic sequelae, and will discuss their incidence, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many articles in the literature document the fact that postoperative pain therapy has not improved for decades despite new insights into pain physiology, the availability of powerful analgesics and the development of new techniques. This project was set up to develop practical, effective, safe, and easy to run acute pain therapy. METHODS. Postoperative pain management had to be optimized according to the facilities available today. Therefore, the legal background is presented first. Second, several medical and organizational principles were chosen to serve as a basis for the new organizational structure: Continuously monitoring the patient's pain during the whole stay in hospital, Introduction of a simple verbal 4-point pain score for determination and documentation of pain allowing the nurses to differentiate pain that should be treated or not, A simple sedation score, Use of "balanced analgesia" and "pre-emptive analgesia", Drug administration according to the needs of the patient, Partial transfer of the responsibility for pain treatment to nurses. Plans and algorithms were expanded to allow nurses and anaesthesiologists to reach the previously determined goals. RESULTS. In a small study including 107 patients, it was demonstrated that the quality of pain treatment improved significantly. Furthermore, patients, nurses and physicians are much more content with the new pain treatment regimen. DISCUSSION. The difficulties in realizing such a concept are described. The importance of thorough teaching is underlined in a nurse-based system. However, it is not yet clear whether this pain treatment has resulted in reduced morbidity, reduced mortality and a shortened hospital stay of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]