After you watch this case explanation, take a few minutes to compare your report to Dr. Charles’ report. This is a critical step in the learning process.

Make sure you can identify all the findings, describe them appropriately and understand how those findings led to prioritize certain differential diagnoses.

Dr. Charles' Report

Study

Lateral and cranial-caudal views of the right and left stifle are available for interpretation.

Patient Positioning

A small amount of obliquity is present in the right lateral view of the stifle as evidenced by the ability to see the margin of each femoral condyle as separate structures (compare to the left lateral view where the femoral condyles are perfectly superimposed one over the other), but overall, the patient’s positioning allows for interpretation of the study.

Technique

Study technique is adequate for interpretation.

Findings

There is increased soft tissue opacity within both the cranial and caudal aspects of the right stifle joint. This opacity causes loss of the normal shape of the infrapatellar fat pad and loss of the caudal, proximal fascial plane. There is mild cranial displacement of the tibia in relation to the femoral condyles. There is osseous proliferation associated with the distal aspect of the patella as well as the femoral trochlear ridges.

The left stifle joint is within normal limits.

conclusion

The increased soft tissue opacity is most likely due to joint effusion and/or synovial proliferation. Osseous proliferation mostly likely represents degenerative joint disease secondary to chronic joint instability. The most likely differential for these findings is injury to the cranial cruciate ligament.

Next Steps

Consultation with a surgeon for repair could be considered.

Patient Radiographs

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