CT Findings and Anatomical Aspects of a Labrador Retriever Humerus Characterized by Osteophytosis of the Sulcus Intertubercularis and Obliteration of the Supratrochlear Foramen

Abstract

Degenerative changes in the skeletal system of dogs may occur as a consequence of aging, trauma, infection, or inflammation. The object of this study consisted of an 8-year-old male Labrador dog that was brought to a private veterinary clinic after a road traffic accident and died despite all interventions. For a different study planned in our department, CT images were taken of the Labrador retriever's humerus and osteophytes to encounter incidentally were investigated for found in these images. After the CT scan, the dissected humerus bones were boiled to remove soft tissues. Subsequently, the bones were underwent with a 10% hydrogen peroxide solution for bleaching. Osteophytes in the proximal part of the humerus extended from the tuberculum majus and tuberculum minus towards the cranial direction, forming a complete ring-like structure at the level of the sulcus intertubercularis in the left humerus. Although not fully ring-shaped, similar osteophytes were found in the right humerus. In addition, it was observed that the foramen supratrochleare seen in the left humerus in the CT images was covered with a thin membrane during dissection. The presence of this membrane suggested that it might be due to the joint not being able to reach sufficient extension due to osteophytes forming in the bone. Additionally, it was concluded that CT may not recognize thin, non-mineralized septations, such as the membrane obliterating the supratrochlear foramen, as observed during necropsy.