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RADIOLOGIC ABNORMALITIES OF THE APPENDICULAR SKELETON OF THE LION ( PANTHERA LEO ): INCIDENTAL FINDINGS AND MYCOBACTERIUM BOVIS ‐INDUCED CHANGES
Author(s) -
KIRBERGER ROBERT M.,
KEET DEWALD F.,
WAGNER WENCKE M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
veterinary radiology and ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.541
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1740-8261
pISSN - 1058-8183
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2006.00121.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tarsal joint , osteomyelitis , sesamoid bone , clavicle , blunt trauma , lameness , bursitis , anatomy , radiography , surgery
Thoracic and pelvic limbs from 15 euthanized free‐ranging lions ( Panthera leo ), ranging in age from 16 to 144 months, underwent standard radiographic evaluation. All lions had tested positive for Mycobacterium bovis by means of a modified intradermal tuberculin test. The radiographs of six lions were normal and nine had incidental findings of which six had more than one lesion. Seven lions had lesions suspected to be associated with tuberculosis, which was confirmed in specific joints in two lions. Incidental pathology was classified as traumatic injuries and degenerative or trauma‐associated joint disease. The traumatic lesions were fractures of which the most remarkable was a femur malunion. Four lions had fibula and another three lions had metacarpal/tarsal and phalangeal fractures. Joint lesions included glenoid, humeral head, and accessory carpal bone osteophytes. There was evidence of a cranial cruciate ligament rupture in an 8‐year‐old male. Trauma induced joint lesions were seen in four stifles (fragmented or displaced sesamoid bones, fragmented meniscal ossicle, or mineralized fragments). Radiological abnormalities believed to be caused by M. bovis were present in one stifle, one radiocarpal, three tibiotarsal, and one tarsometatarsal joints. These had evidence of septic arthritis with extensive new bone formation and capsular mineralization. In one 20‐month‐old lion, changes typical of a bone abscess were found in a proximal tibia. Radiologic evidence of elbow hygromas were seen in three elbows, all believed to be caused by M. bovis . Lions appeared to cope fairly well with a variety of traumatic injuries and were also susceptible to some of the aging/incidental radiologic findings seen in dogs and cats. The suspected M. bovis osseous lesions were more likely to involve the joints, particularly the tarsal joint and were mainly proliferative.