AUTHOR=McDougall Renee A. , Canapp Sherman O. , Canapp Debra A. 

TITLE=Ultrasonographic Findings in 41 Dogs Treated with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate and Platelet-Rich Plasma for a Supraspinatus Tendinopathy: A Retrospective Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=5

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00098

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2018.00098

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Objective</title><p> To report sonographic findings for dogs with a supraspinatus tendinopathy (ST) treated with an ultrasound-guided intratendinous injection of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).</p></sec><sec><title>Methods </title><p>Medical records for dogs diagnosed with an ST and treated with a BMAC-PRP injection were reviewed. Data collected included patient signalment, radiographic findings at the time of initial evaluation, and sonographic findings, including cross-sectional area (CSA), fiber pattern, and echogenicity.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Of 70 records reviewed, 41 met the inclusion criteria. Mean CSA of the supraspinatus tendon decreased by 0.06 cm<sup>2</sup> between baseline and 45 days post-treatment (<italic>p</italic> = 0.0025), and 0.09 cm<sup>2</sup> between baseline and 90 days post-treatment (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001). Analysis of CSA in dogs with a unilateral ST at baseline revealed a difference of 0.08 cm<sup>2</sup> between the affected and unaffected tendon at baseline, with the affected tendon measuring larger than the contralateral tendon (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001). This difference became statistically insignificant by 45 days after treatment (u<sub>1</sub>-u<sub>0</sub> = 0.04 cm<sup>2</sup>, <italic>p</italic> = 0.2855) and remained so 90 days post-treatment (u<sub>1</sub>-u<sub>0</sub> = 0.03 cm<sup>2</sup>, <italic>p</italic> = 0.1910). In most cases (90.6%), the fiber pattern and echogenicity was considered improved 90 days post treatment. In a minority of these cases (13.8%) the fiber pattern and echogenicity abnormalities were considered resolved.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions </title><p>Using qualitative and quantitative sonographic measures, BMAC-PRP was associated with an improvement in supraspinatus tendon size, fiber pattern, and echogenicity. Given the protracted nature of tendon healing, long-term evaluation may reveal continued improvements in chronic structural changes not captured during the current study. Functional studies are required to evaluate the clinical benefits of BMAC-PRP in the treatment of STs in dogs.</p></sec><sec><title>Clinical significance </title><p>An ST is a common contributor to forelimb lameness in dogs and remains notoriously difficult to treat. Previous studies have been associated with inconsistent treatment outcomes. In the current study, BMAC-PRP is investigated as a minimally invasive treatment option, revealing positive sonographic results.</p></sec>