Intraosseous phlebography in bovine osteomyelitis

Intraosseous phlebography was performed in 12 calves aged 1 to 11/2 years a t 3, 6, 12 and 18 weeks after experimental induction of osteomyelitis by in tramedullary injection of Staphylococcus aureus along with sterilized saw d ust in the distal metaphysis of metatarsal bone using 10 ml of sodium iotha lmate as contrast medium. Phlebograms at early stages demonstrated marked d ilatation and sacculation of the medullary vessel with evidence of stasis a nd delayed drainage of the contrast material. In 1 animal, flow of the cont rast medium stopped just short of well defined radiolucent abscess cavity h aving sclerotic margin in the proximal metaphysis, while in another-calf, f low of the contrast medium took a deviated course and bypassed the abscess cavity. At later stage medullary venous system of the osteomyelitic bone ap peared to be completely disrupted without visualization of definite venous channels. The major extraosseous venous channels of the metatarsus were not opacified indicating stasis and delayed clearance of the contrast medium.