Helical computed tomographic-dacryocystography in adult pet dwarf rabbits: procedure and normal appearance

J. Fritz,H. Gaillot,Y. Ruel

doi:10.21825/vdt.v89i6.17412

Abstract

Partial or complete nasolacrimal drainage system (NLDS) occlusion is a common clinical concern in rabbits. It can be assumed that computed tomographic-dacryocystography (CTDCG) might be an efficient technique in this indication. In this prospective study, the technique of CT-DCG and the appearance of the NLDS in eight healthy rabbits on CT-DCG images are described. The quality of visualization of bony structures adjacent to the NLDS was good on pre-contrast computed tomographic images. The bony lacrimal canal had a smooth contour, a regular diameter, and its mean dimensions are provided. CT-DCG technique was easy to perform and offered a good visualization of the NLDS including anatomical narrowings and bendings. CT-DCG is a minimally invasive and informative technique for evaluating the NLDS in rabbits. Its diagnostic usefulness in exploring nasolacrimal diseases remains to be specified in this species.

Highlights

Helical computed tomography is commonly used to assess the bony lacrimal canal and the nasolacrimal drainage system (NLDS) in human medicine (Janssen et al, 2001; Freitag et al, 2002)
Eight rabbits with normal incisor teeth, jugal teeth and bony structures of the head on non-contrast cross-sectional modality (CT) images were selected for the study and provided 16 lacrimal apparatus to be assessed using computed tomographic-dacryocystography (CT-DCG)
This study shows that non-contrast CT with bone algorithm acquisition enables the visualization of the lacrimal canal in rabbits

Summary

Introduction

Helical computed tomography is commonly used to assess the bony lacrimal canal and the nasolacrimal drainage system (NLDS) in human medicine (Janssen et al, 2001; Freitag et al, 2002). Magnetic resonance imaging dacryocystography is used in human patients. This technique has been experimented in a feasibility study in horse cadavers (Manso-Diaz et al, 2019). Protocols and normal images of CT-DCG have been described in dogs (Rached et al, 2011) and cats (Nöller et al, 2006; Schlueter et al, 2009). Assessment of the NLDS using radiographic dacryocystography has been described (Marini et al, 1996), but to the authors’ knowledge, protocols and normal images of CT-DCG have not been published in this species yet

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