Decision making in Diagnostic Tests CR Flashcards
How do you choose your diagnostic tests? Make a list of things that would influence your choice
- Tissue type
- Cost
- Equipment/facilities
- Clinical presentation
- Animal health status
- Age of dog - does owner want to treat or find diagnosis?
- Owners choice
- Staff avilability
- Prognosis
- Pain
What are some advtanges and disadvantages of RADIOGRAPHS?
Advantages
- Quick
- Cheap
- Not painful
- Can do under sedation
- Don’t need referral
Disadvantages
- Require chemical restraint
- Only good for bony changes mostly
- Exposure to radiation
What are some advtanges and disadvantages of MRI?
Advtantages:
- See changes in multiple structures
- Detail of soft tissue structures
- Safe/no exposure to radiation
- Less chance of contrast medium allergic reacton
- Not painful
Disadvantages
- Cost
- Referral
- Patient must be very still - requires GA
What are some advtanges and disadvantages of CT?
Advtanges
- Rapid aquisition of images
- Clear and specific information
- View of a large portion of the body
- Not painful
- Quick compared to MRI
Disadvantages
- Cost
- Need GA
- Referral
- Radiation
- Artefacts are common e.g. metal
- IV contrast side effects
What are some advtanges and disadvantages of ARTHROSCOPY?
Advantages
- Clear view of all structures
- Upon findings you could act there and then, preventing further GA
Disadvantages
- Needs GA
- Painful
- Invasive
- Specialist equipment
What are some advtanges and disadvantages of JOINT TAP?
Advantages
- Allows analysis of joint fluid
- Diagnostic for arthritis
Disadvantages
- Invasive
- Painful
- Infection risk
- Requires sedation
What are some advtanges and disadvantages of BONE BIOPSY?
Advantages
- Diagnostic of neoplasia and inflammatory processes
- Short recovery time
- Less invasive than surgical biopsy
Disadvantages
- Could damage structures e.g. nerve, artery, vein
- Needle can snap off
- Chemical restraint
- Infection risk
Trauma in a dog: A client has brought in their 6 year old Labrador Retriever dog which was found by the side of the road. The dog is non weight-bearing on its left forelimb. On palpation you can feel movement and bone crepitus around the mid shaft of the humerus and suspect a humeral fracture. The dog is fully insured and much loved by the owner. What are your differential diagnoses in this case (identify your top three differentials)
Fracture of the humerus
Arthritis
Elbow dysplasia
Trauma in a dog: A client has brought in their 6 year old Labrador Retriever dog which was found by the side of the road. The dog is non weight-bearing on its left forelimb. On palpation you can feel movement and bone crepitus around the mid shaft of the humerus and suspect a humeral fracture. The dog is fully insured and much loved by the owner. What is your diagnostic approach to this case?
Radiographs
CT
MRI
A client has contacted you about their daughter’s 25 year old pony which has become lame on its left fore. The pony is 2/10 th lame at the walk, which increases to 5/10 th when the fetlock joint is flexed. There is bony and soft tissue swelling localised around the fetlock joint. What are your differential diagnoses in this case (identify your top three differentials)?
Laminitis
Tendon Damage
PPID
A client has contacted you about their daughter’s 25 year old pony which has become lame on its left fore. The pony is 2/10 th lame at the walk, which increases to 5/10 th when the fetlock joint is flexed. There is bony and soft tissue swelling localised around the fetlock joint. What is your diagnostic approach to this case?
Bloods - insulin levels, haematology and biochem
Ultrasound
