Double-contrast and single contrast arthrography in humeral joint of the dogs

The double contrast artrography is a diagnostic method in which positive contrast. material (MCP) is injected in the joint space followed by negative contrast in order to outline lesions on the articular surfaces and adjacent structures. This technique is all effective and minimally invasive procedure already consolidated in human medicine as well as in the equine species with better results than the ones achieved by using usual diagnostic methods. In dogs this is not widely applied. The present study aimed to describe and evaluate the double contrast artrography technique applied to the humeral joint of canine species to compare with artrograph with MCP in the evaluation of the articular surface of humerus head, intra-articular portion of the biceps muscle tendon, and articular capsule of eleven adult dogs. The double contrast within the joint has been produced by combining a small amount of iodine-based half of positive contrast covering the articular surfaces and capsular limits and a larger amount of a negative contrast filling the intra-articular space. The information collected from four radiologists have allowed to conclude that in the evaluation of the articular surface of the humerus head the double contrast artrography technique determinates a better image than with MCP In addition, in the evaluation of the outline of the intra-articular portion of the biceps muscle tendon the artrography with MCP produced a better image than with double contrast artrography.