A Case of Segmental Aplasia of the Uterus, Cervix, and Cranial Vagina in a Cat
This case documents a rare set of congenital anomalies that resulted in an atypical cystic lesion in the cranial vagina of a queen. A discrete cystic lesion was identified in an 8 year old intact female domestic shorthair cat presenting for routine ovariohysterectomy. Morphological, radiographic, and histopathological findings were consistent with segmental aplasia of the uterus, cervix, and vagina resulting in a blind dilation of the cranial vagina. Segmental vaginal aplasia in combination with the failed canalization of the cervix resulted in a blind portion of the cranial vagina, in which normal secretions collected and became inspissated. This formed a discrete cystic structure. This case represents a novel combination and clinical presentation of segmental aplasia in the cat, involving both the uterus and cranial vagina. Ovariohysterectomy was performed for sterilization and a partial vaginectomy was performed to remove the cystic lesion in its entirety.
Segmental aplasia of the uterine horn with ipsilateral renal agenesis in a cat.
A nine-month-old domestic short haired cat was admitted with the history of acute vomiting, depression and shivering. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed minimum enlargement of the right uterine horn filled with anechoic fluid. On excretory urography, functionally and anatomically normal, enlarged left kidney was found, but right kidney was absent. It was preliminary diagnosed as hydrometra with right renal agenesis. Aiming at the correction of hydrometra, we performed ovariohysterectomy. During spaying, we found a missing segment of distal part of the right uterine horn and absence of ipsilateral kidney and ureter. Compressed uterine structure and segmental aplasia of right uterine horn were found in histopathological investigation. Taken together, it was diagnosed as a segmental aplasia of uterine horn with ipsilateral renal agenesis.
In search of optimum chest radiography techniques.
A nation-wide study of chest radiography in Sweden had previously revealed a large variation in the physical and technical factors involved, in particular the radiation dose. In this study the image quality could not be assessed unambiguously. The aim of the present study was to try to establish a correlation between visual grading of radiographs and physical and technical factors in order to find the optimum chest X-ray system. The physical and technical performance of 24 chest units was evaluated. Radiographs were taken of an anthropomorphic chest phantom supplied with test structures simulating various pathologies. Image quality was assessed by visual grading analysis of the radiographs. The physical and technical parameters of the units rated best were used to exemplify good radiographic practice. The results were in agreement with the recommendations issued by the Commission of the European Communities (CEC). It was also shown that low radiation dose is compatible with high-quality radiographic imaging of the chest.