Comparative Examination of the Processus Coronoideus Medialis Ulnae of the Canine Elbow Joint: Histological and Computed Tomographic Findings

Dissertation topic Lena Holbein,
supervised by K. Von Pückler, C. Stazyk and M. Kramer

Elbow dysplasia is a common developmental disorder of the elbow joint in large and medium-sized breeds, which, according to the current state of science, is genetically based and hence may be reduced by selective breeding. A computed tomographic examination of the elbow joints is typically used for diagnosis of a pathology of the processus coronoideus medialis ulnae. In dogs suffering from such pathology, different bone densities are visible within the coronoid process in computer tomographic examinations. In this study, the different bone densities within the coronoid process in the computed tomographic examination are compared with the underlying bone structure on corresponding histological sections. The aim of this study is to improve practices used for the assessment of elbow dysplasia in particular for coronoid pathology by using computed tomography examinations.

Dissertation project

Dissertation project Franziska Schmied,
supervised by K. Von Pückler, C. Arnhold and M. Kramer

In this research project, nanoparticles were investigated for their signal behavior in magnetic resonance tomography and computed tomography. Nanoparticles are microparticles with a diameter between 1 nm and 100 nm. Nanoparticles are very diverse. They can be used not only to label cells, but also to treat tumors, release drugs in the body and as biosensors. They are synthesized from metallic materials such as gold, silver or cobalt, from semiconductor materials such as cadmium sulphide, gallium arsenide or indium phosphide and from insulators such as iron oxide or titanium oxide. Via endocytosis, nanoparticles enter cells and are passed on to daughter cells during cell division. This study investigated the utility of gold and iron nanoparticles of different sizes and concentrations. The results of the computed tomography study illustrate the possibility of showing gold nanoparticles with a low gold concentration. Magnetic resonance tomographic examination in the 1 and 3 Tesla MRI demonstrates the representation of iron oxide nanoparticles and tetra chloroauric acid. Our study showed that even low concentrations of gold and iron, compared to commercial contrast agents, provide satisfactory signal intensities in respective cross-sectional imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Our findings warrant further studies pertaining to using such low concentration dosis of nanoparticles for CT scanning to limit any adverse effects on stem cell vitality.