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Mineralization of paraprostatic cysts is reported to be uncommon. This retrospective study was performed to review the imaging findings of eight histologically confirmed canine paraprostatic cysts. Radiographic patterns of mineralization seen are described. Four of the eight dogs had mineralized cysts. Mineralization seen on radiography was not consistently seen on ultrasonography, probably due to the lack of acoustic shadowing artefact from the small depth of mineralized tissue. It is thus concluded that mineralization of paraprostatic cysts is more common than implied in the literature, and that radiography is superior to ultrasonography in identifying its presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiographs of vertebral segments from 200 cats were retrospectively assessed to determine the incidence of congenital axial skeletal abnormalities. The axial skeleton was divided into cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal segments and the presence and types of congenital abnormalities present were recorded for each segment. A total of 598 axial skeletal segments were examined. Congenital abnormalities were found in 46 cats and involved 54 spinal segments. Block vertebrae were identified in three cats. No hemivertebrae or spina bifida were noted. Transitional abnormalities were most common, and were identified in 51 spinal segments. Abnormalities at the sacrocaudal junction were the most common of these; 19 examples were found. The second most common transitional abnormality was thoracicization of L1, with 18 such cats identified. Extra ribs on L1 were often smaller and fragmented and it may be possible for an inexperienced clinician to confuse these with rib fractures. The last rib(s) are also often used for anatomic localization of surgical procedures; the presence of a transitional lumbar vertebra with one or two extra ribs introduces the possibility of error or confusion about choice of surgical site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DIAGNOSTIC ultrasonography has been used in veterinary medicine for over 30 years. In the late 1970s, it was performed largely as a means of pregnancy diagnosis in the mare, ewe and sow. However, since then, technological advances have allowed the production of high resolution ultrasound images and accurate representation of movement, making it a useful tool for a range of veterinary applications. With equipment costs having also decreased, this imaging modality is now more readily available in practice. The key for the clinician is to produce images of the highest quality in order to maximise the diagnostic information obtained. This article describes the types of equipment available and provides practical guidance on how to optimise settings to obtain good quality, diagnostically useful images. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A letter to the editor is presented about the future of the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) and the human poisons information service at Guy's and Saint Thomas' National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust.

Presents a reply by John F. Innes et al. to a letter to the editor about their study "Radiographic Progression of Osteoarthritis of the Canine Stifle Joint: A Prospective Study," published in a previous issue of "Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound" journal.

Having been introduced to CPD in her first job in practice, Frances Barr now sits on the other side of the academic fence as the BSAVA's academic director, where she uses the skills she gained teaching at Bristol veterinary school to develop the association's postgraduate certificates [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including the effectiveness of inactivated vaccines against rabies used in cats and dogs, by A. Wilsmore and N. Taylor, and the waiting time reduction for dogs and cats to enter the Great Britain from European Union after vaccination against rabies, by Frances Barr.