Aspetti radiografici e tomografici del tendine del muscolo estensore lungo delle dita (EDL) in cani con incompetenza del legamento crociato craniale

In the present study , 15 cases of cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in the dog have been analyzed with both radiographic examination and CT scan. Particular attention has been set to structural modifications of the tendon of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle and to peritendineous tissues. These modifications have been observed to be related to the intra-articular inflammatory and degenerative status that occur within the stifle secondary to CCL rupture. In particular, the evolution of the degenerative joint disease is associated with the modifications of the peritendineal guaina and the synovial layers, determining repetitive radiographic and tomographic patterns for size and shape. Moreover, mechanical stimuli secondary to joint instability determinate new bone proliferation within the tibial grove and at the insertion of the EDL in the femoral fossa on the lateral epicondyle of the femur. All these aspects have been previously observed on CT scan and subsequently they have been visualized on the radiograms.