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Consoli FMA, Bernaldo de Quirós Y, Arbelo M, Fulle S, Marchisio M, Encinoso M, Fernandez A, Rivero MA. Cetaceans Humerus Radiodensity by CT: A Useful Technique Differentiating between Species, Ecophysiology, and Age. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141793. [PMID: 35883340 PMCID: PMC9311750 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cetaceans are mammals that underwent a series of evolutionary adaptations to live in the aquatic environment, including morphological modifications of various anatomical structures of the skeleton and their bone mineral density (BMD); there are few studies on the latter. BMD is related to the radiodensity measured through computed tomography (CT) in Hounsfield units (HU). This work aimed to test and validate the usefulness of studying humeral bone radiodensity by CT of two cetacean species (the Atlantic spotted dolphin and the pygmy sperm whale) with different swimming and diving habits. The radiodensity was analysed at certain levels following a new protocol based on a review of previous studies. Humeral radiodensity values were related to four aspects: species, diving behaviour, swimming activity level, and age. We observed that the consistent differences in the radiodensity of the cortical bone of the distal epiphysis between animals of different life-history categories suggest that this bone portion could be particularly useful for future ontogenetic studies. Hence, this technique may be helpful in studying and comparing species with different ecophysiologies, particularly distinguishing between swimming and diving habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Maria Achille Consoli
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35400 Las Palmas, Spain; (F.M.A.C.); (M.A.); (A.F.); (M.A.R.)
- Department of Neuroscience Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Yara Bernaldo de Quirós
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35400 Las Palmas, Spain; (F.M.A.C.); (M.A.); (A.F.); (M.A.R.)
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35400 Las Palmas, Spain; (F.M.A.C.); (M.A.); (A.F.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Stefania Fulle
- Department of Neuroscience Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Marco Marchisio
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University G. D’Annunzio, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Mario Encinoso
- Hospital Clínico Veterinario, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Las Palmas, Spain;
| | - Antonio Fernandez
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35400 Las Palmas, Spain; (F.M.A.C.); (M.A.); (A.F.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Miguel A. Rivero
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35400 Las Palmas, Spain; (F.M.A.C.); (M.A.); (A.F.); (M.A.R.)
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Kuijpers NW, van Schalkwijk L, IJsseldijk LL, Willems DS, Veraa S. Post-Mortem Computed Tomography Pulmonary Findings in Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111454. [PMID: 35681918 PMCID: PMC9179349 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The use of cross-sectional imaging techniques to examine the cause of death and health status of deceased animals is increasing in both veterinary and wildlife conservation programs, including species of whales and dolphins. Lung disease is common in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), a small whale species that regularly washes up on the coast in North Sea-bordering countries. This study aimed to describe lung changes visible in computed tomographic (CT) images of recently deceased harbor porpoises before pathological dissection was performed, including comparison of these two examination methods. Despite frequently visible signs of body decomposition, several lung abnormalities (collapsed lung, fluid in the airways, lung mineralization) were more often seen on the CT images. In general, lung changes could be described in more detail compared to gross dissection. CT images of lungs of recently deceased harbor porpoises can therefore be used to guide gross dissection, leading to more specific findings and potentially a more complete understanding of the circumstances leading to the death of the porpoise, assessment of the population, and ultimately, ecosystem health. Abstract The application of whole-body post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) in veterinary and wildlife post-mortem research programs is advancing. A high incidence of pulmonary pathology is reported in the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). In this study, the value of PMCT focused on pulmonary assessment is evaluated. The objectives of this study were to describe pulmonary changes as well as autolytic features detected by PMCT examination and to compare those findings with conventional necropsy. Retrospective evaluation of whole-body PMCT images of 46 relatively fresh harbor porpoises and corresponding conventional necropsy reports was carried out, with a special focus on the respiratory tract. Common pulmonary PMCT findings included: moderate (24/46) to severe (19/46) increased pulmonary soft tissue attenuation, severe parasite burden (17/46), bronchial wall thickening (30/46), and mild autolysis (26/46). Compared to conventional necropsy, PMCT more frequently identified pneumothorax (5/46 vs. none), tracheal content (26/46 vs. 7/46), and macroscopic pulmonary mineralization (23/46 vs. 11/46), and provided more information of the distribution of pulmonary changes. These results indicate that PMCT adds information on pulmonary assessment and is a promising complementary technique for necropsy, despite the frequent presence of mild autolytic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke W. Kuijpers
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Integrating Disciplines, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (D.S.W.); (S.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Linde van Schalkwijk
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Division of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (L.v.S.); (L.L.I.)
| | - Lonneke L. IJsseldijk
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Division of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (L.v.S.); (L.L.I.)
| | - Dorien S. Willems
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Integrating Disciplines, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (D.S.W.); (S.V.)
| | - Stefanie Veraa
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Integrating Disciplines, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (D.S.W.); (S.V.)
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de Reuver S, IJsseldijk LL, Homans JF, Willems DS, Veraa S, van Stralen M, Kik MJL, Kruyt MC, Gröne A, Castelein RM. What a stranded whale with scoliosis can teach us about human idiopathic scoliosis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7218. [PMID: 33785866 PMCID: PMC8009909 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86709-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Scoliosis is a deformation of the spine that may have several known causes, but humans are the only mammal known to develop scoliosis without any obvious underlying cause. This is called 'idiopathic' scoliosis and is the most common type. Recent observations showed that human scoliosis, regardless of its cause, has a relatively uniform three-dimensional anatomy. We hypothesize that scoliosis is a universal compensatory mechanism of the spine, independent of cause and/or species. We had the opportunity to study the rare occurrence of scoliosis in a whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) that stranded in July 2019 in the Netherlands. A multidisciplinary team of biologists, pathologists, veterinarians, taxidermists, radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons conducted necropsy and imaging analysis. Blunt traumatic injury to two vertebrae caused an acute lateral deviation of the spine, which had initiated the development of compensatory curves in regions of the spine without anatomical abnormalities. Three-dimensional analysis of these compensatory curves showed strong resemblance with different types of human scoliosis, amongst which idiopathic. This suggests that any decompensation of spinal equilibrium can lead to a rather uniform response. The unique biomechanics of the upright human spine, with significantly decreased rotational stability, may explain why only in humans this mechanism can be induced relatively easily, without an obvious cause, and is therefore still called 'idiopathic'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven de Reuver
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lonneke L IJsseldijk
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jelle F Homans
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorien S Willems
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Veraa
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marijn van Stralen
- Imaging Division, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marja J L Kik
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Moyo C Kruyt
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Gröne
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - René M Castelein
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Willems DS, IJsseldijk LL, van den Broek DHN, Veraa S. Vertebral pattern variation in the North Sea harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) by computed tomography. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2020; 304:968-978. [PMID: 33015959 PMCID: PMC8246778 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Vertebral series in the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) include cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and caudal. In contrast to studying skeletons from museums, in which small bones can be missed, evaluation of full body computed tomography (CT) scans provides an overview of the vertebral column, while maintaining interrelationship of all structures. The aim of this study was to document variations in vertebral patterning of the harbor porpoise via evaluation of CT images of intact stranded harbor porpoises. The harbor porpoises were divided into age classes, based on developmental stage of reproductive organs on postmortem examination and closure of proximal humeral physis on CT. Numbers of vertebrae per series, fusion state of the syncervical, type of first hemal arch, number of double articulating ribs, and floating ribs were recorded based on CT images. Included in the study were 48 harbor porpoises (27 males and 21 females), which were divided in two age classes (27 immatures and 21 adults). Total vertebral count varied from 63 to 68 with vertebral formula range C7T12‐14L12‐16Cd29‐33. Twenty‐five different vertebral formulas were found, of which C7T13L14Ca30 was the most common (n = 8, 17%). Thoracic vertebrae with six, seven, or eight double articulating ribs and zero, one, or two vertebrae with floating ribs were seen. Four different fusion states of the syncervical and four types of hemal arches were recognized. This study showed a great variation in vertebral patterning in the harbor porpoise, with homeotic and meristic variation in the thoracic, lumbar, and caudal vertebral series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien S Willems
- Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lonneke L IJsseldijk
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - D Hendrik N van den Broek
- Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Veraa
- Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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