Novel application of Three-dimensional rendering and printing in veterinary small animal orthopaedics CALL 2024

Antebrachial deformity is a common developmental pathology in dogs. This deformity is tipically multiplanar, affecting simultaneously frontal, sagittal and transverse planes. Traditionally, joint orientation angles (JOAs) of a bone segment are measured using orthogonal radiographs and compared to its axis. Due to the constant presence of proximo-distal torsion, orthogonal radiographs at both proximal and distal joints are required to measure JOAs, while the torsion of the bone segment can only be approximately guessed. More recently, CT scans have been the preferred method to evaluate complex antebrachial deformities in order to achieve a better surgical planning. However, joint orientation angle and radial torsion are often just estimated and not precisely measured, leading to ad improper pre-surgical planning. Moreover, there may be a subjective bias during the measuring process. In light of such consideration, we aim to develop a reproducible and standardized computed technique to measure joint orientation angles of the radius with the future intention to develop a more standardized and accurate approach to surgery for antebrachial deformities. In order to produce scientific material of the highest quality, it will be necessary to collaborate with external veterinary practices, which will guarantee state of the art instruments and expertise in the field of veterinary imaging.

Five publications related to the Research Topic for the candidate interview: 

  1. Crosse KR, Worth AJ. Computer-assisted surgical correction of an antebrachial deformity in a dog. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2010;23(5):354-61. doi: 10.3415/VCOT-10-01-0010. Epub 2010 Aug 25. PMID: 20740255.
  2. De Armond CC, Lewis DD, Kim SE, Biedrzycki AH. Accuracy of virtual surgical planning and custom three-dimensionally printed osteotomy and reduction guides for acute uni- and biapical correction of antebrachial deformities in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2022 Apr 22;260(13):1-9. doi: 10.2460/javma.21.09.0419. PMID: 35460550.
  3. Cooley K, Kroner K, Muir P, Hetzel SJ, Bleedorn JA. Assessment of overall thoracic limb axial alignment in dogs with antebrachial deformity. Vet Surg. 2018 Nov;47(8):1074-1079. doi: 10.1111/vsu.12962. Epub 2018 Sep 23. PMID: 30246322.
  4. Hu J, Xu L, Jing M, Zhang H, Wang L, Chen X. An approach to automated measuring morphological parameters of proximal femora on three-dimensional models. Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg. 2020 Jan;15(1):109-118. doi: 10.1007/s11548-019-02095-w. Epub 2019 Nov 20. PMID: 31749053.
  5. Stephen JM, Teitge RA, Williams A, Calder JDF, El Daou H. A Validated, Automated, 3-Dimensional Method to Reliably Measure Tibial Torsion. Am J Sports Med. 2021 Mar;49(3):747-756. doi: 10.1177/0363546520986873. Epub 2021 Feb 3. PMID: 33533633; PMCID: PMC7917570.

Contact person

Prof. Maurizio Isola

Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (https://www.maps.unipd.it/)
University of Padova
tel.: +39-049-8272951
e-mail: maurizio.isola@unipd.it