Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound vs X-rays for diagnosing dog hip dysplasia
By Tomé, Inês et al.·Published in Veterinary Sciences·2025·Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Canine Hip Dysplasia: Comparison with FCI Radiographic Scoring System
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at how ultrasound can help diagnose hip dysplasia in dogs, a common condition that affects their joints and can lead to arthritis. Researchers examined the hips of 22 adult dogs from different breeds and found that ultrasound could detect early changes in the bones and surrounding tissues that traditional X-rays might miss. They discovered that the ultrasound measurements were significantly different between normal and dysplastic hips, suggesting that ultrasound could be a useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring this condition.
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Abstract
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a common orthopedic condition characterized by joint laxity, abnormal femoral head development, and osteoarthritis. Radiography remains the gold standard in diagnosis; however, ultrasonography (US) can detect changes in bone and periarticular soft tissue earlier in CHD progression. Forty-four hips from twenty-two adult dogs of various breeds were graded according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) grading system, and grouped as normal (A, B) or dysplastic (C, D, E). Canine hip US evaluation, using the ventral femoral head–neck approach, included the following: capsule thickness at the femoral head index (CTFHi) and capsule thickness at the femoral head–neck index (CTFHNi), both measured in mm/body weight × 100; femoral head shape score (FHSs) and femoral head–neck transition score (FHNTs); and osteophyte score (Os). These findings were evaluated qualitatively and then converted into numerical scores. Twenty-three hips were graded on the FCI system as being normal, and twenty-one as dysplastic. Median values of the US parameters CTFHi, CTFHNi, FHSs, FHNTs, and Os were 2.02, 7.79, 1.00, 1.00, and 0.00 in the normal-hips group, and 3.11, 9.32, 3.00, 2.00, and 1.00 in the dysplastic-hips group. Significant differences were observed between most US parameters evaluated. Strong associations were found between CTFHi, FHNTs, and Os, indicating progressive bone remodeling. These findings support US usage as a potential tool for CHD diagnosis and monitoring.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13010020