Three-dimensional ultrasonographic assessment of the cranial cruciate ligament in medium- to large-sized canine cadavers: a feasibility study.

Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture is a common cause of stifle instability and pelvic limb lameness in dogs. Although complete ruptures are often suspected based on clinical examination, assessment of the CrCL remains challenging using non-invasive conventional imaging modalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US) for visualization and exploratory measurement of the CrCL in medium- to large-sized canine cadavers. An observational descriptive study was conducted on 17 adult dog cadavers (34 stifle joints) with no history of stifle disease and no conventional two-dimensional ultrasonographic (2D-US) evidence of stifle pathological findings. Each stifle joint was examined using both 2D-US and 3D-US, followed by exploratory lateral arthrotomy to confirm ligament integrity. Using 3D-US, the femoral and tibial attachments of the CrCL, together with intervening ligament portions, were identified in all examined stifle joints. Exploratory diameter measurements were obtained at the proximal, middle and distal regions of all examined CrCLs. No ligament abnormalities were detected on ultrasonographic examination and ligament integrity was subsequently confirmed by arthrotomy. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of 3D-US for assessment of the CrCL in medium- to large-sized canine cadavers. Further studies are required to determine the clinical applicability, repeatability and diagnostic performance of this technique in live dogs with CrCL disease.