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This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Small Animal Orthopaedics Q&A. |
A lateral view radiograph of the left distal antebrachium of a five-month-old, male Irish Wolfhound with a history of a left forelimb lameness and mild valgus deformity of the left carpus.
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| What is the radiographic diagnosis? | The dog has a retained cartilage core (RCC) associated with the distal ulnar physis and possibly retarded ulnar growth. |
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| What is the pathogenesis of this condition? | RCCs (retained cartilage cores, retained endochondral cartilage cores) are caused by retarded endochondral ossification. RCCs are often bilateral, often clinically silent and may resolve uneventfully. The characteristic lesion is a cone-shaped mass of unmineralized hypertrophic cartilage with its base located at the center of the distal ulnar growth plate and its apex projecting into the metaphysis. The periphery of the physis is normal. The cause of the abnormality is unknown. One therory is that an interruption of oxygenation to a portion of the physis, perhaps due to micro trauma, results in an inability of the local environment to transform the cartilage into bone. While the distal ulnar physis is most commonly affected, RCCs have also been reported in the distal femur and distal tibia. |
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| Which breeds of dogs are most commonly affected? | Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds. RCCs have also been reported in the Afghan, Collie and McKenzie Wolf. RCC is also reported in other species, including chickens, pigs and, possibly, horses. |
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