Diagnostics Tests

Question 1

What is the Latex Capsular Agglutination Test (LCAT)?

Answer 1

Detects polysaccharide capsule on crypto spores

Very sensitive and specific

Question 2

What cell would you see in CSF with leptomeningitis?

Answer 2

Eosiniphils

Question 3

What are radiographs most useful for?

Answer 3

Detecting bony lesions

Question 4

Why should you sample CSF before myelogram?

Answer 4

To get accurate sample

Contrast will cause chemical meningitis

Question 5

Complications of myelography?

Answer 5

Arrest
Seizures
Worsening neurological status

Question 6

Benefits of CT

Answer 6

Rapid
Inexpensive
Can be performed under sedation

Question 7

What makes contrast in CT image

Answer 7

Different tissue density

Question 8

What makes contrast in MRI image?

Answer 8

Different proton behavior with different tissues

Question 9

Disadvantage of MRI?

Answer 9

Slow
Require general anesthesia
Sometimes not an option (pacemaker, metal implants)

Question 10

MRI is best for which diseases?

Answer 10

Brain disease

Intramedullay spinal disease/ tumors

Non-chondrodystrophoid or Type II IVDD

Question 11

CT is best for which diseases?

Answer 11

Fractures, boney disease

Mineralized, type I IVDD

(Poor for caudal fossa and lumbosacral area)

Question 12

Type of disc herniation seen with dachshunds?

Answer 12

Extrusion

Question 13

Type of disc herniation seen in GSD?

Answer 13

Protrusion

Question 14

Where is CSF produced? Stored? Drained?

Answer 14

Produced in choroid plexus

Stored in lateral, 3rd, 4th ventricles

Drained by arachnoid villi into venous sinuses

Question 15

What are the contraindications of CSF collection?

Answer 15

Increased ICP

Lack of comfort/competency

Question 16

What are the landmarks for cisternal puncture in CSF collection?

Answer 16

Occiput
Spine of C2
Wings of C1

Question 17

What are the landmarks for lumbar puncture in CSF collection?

Answer 17

L5-6 in dog

L6-7 or L7-S1 in cat

Question 18

What is a disadvantage of lumbar puncture in CSF collection?

Answer 18

Higher instance of blood contamination

Question 19

What characteristics of CSF are important to evaluate?

Answer 19

Color and clarity
Total nucleated cell #
RBC #
Protein concentration

Question 20

What is xanthocrhomia?

Answer 20

Yellow tinge of CSF, usually due to hemorrhage

Can last up to 4 weeks

Question 21

Turbidity of CSF is usually due to

Answer 21

Increased protein concentration

Question 22

What are the normal characteristics of CSF?

Answer 22

Clear, colorless

Nucleated cells: <5/ul, mononuclear

RBCs: 0

Protein: <25 mg/dL (cisternal) or < 40 mg/dL (lumbar)

Question 23

What is albuminocytologic association?

Answer 23

Elevated CSF protein concentration in the face of normal CSF cell count

Question 24

What tests for masitcatory myositis?

Answer 24

2-M Ab titer

Question 25

What tests for myasthenia gravis?

Answer 25

Ach receptor Ab titer

Question 26

Healthy muscle is electrically _____

Answer 26

Silent

Question 27

Velocity of a nerve impulse depends on

Answer 27

Degree of myelination

Affected by age, limb temperature, limb length

Smaller dogs faster than large dogs

Question 28

What does the F wave do?

Answer 28

Evaluated motor function of a nerve using orthodromic and antidromic stimuli

Question 29

What are orthodromic stimuli?

Answer 29

Stimulus that reaches muscle fiber and elicits a strong response, indicative of a muscle contraction (M wave)

Question 30

What is an antidromic stimulus?

Answer 30

Evokes small portion of muscle fibers causing a F wave

Question 31

What is BAER tesitng?

Answer 31

Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response

Measure of conductive, sensoineural hearing and brainstem function

Uses up to 7 waves

Question 32

What factors reduce amplitude of BAER?

Answer 32

Skull thickness and muscle mass

Question 33

What breeds are prone to congenital deafness?

Answer 33

Australian cattle dog
Australian shepherd
Bull terrier
Catahoula
Dalmatian
English cocker spaniel
English setter