DIAGNOSIS OF QUINOLONE-INDUCED ARTHROPATHY IN JUVENILE DOGS BY USE OFMAGNETIC-RESONANCE (MR) IMAGING

The present study was carried out to confirm whether arthropathy in ju venile dogs induced by ofloxacin, a new quinolone antibacterial agent, may be diagnosed by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Three-month-old male beagle dogs were orally administered ofloxacin at 20 mg/kg once d aily for 7 consecutive days. On day 8, MR images were obtained with a 4.7-tesla (T) super-conductive high magnetic field strength unit. An i rregular cartilage surface and dissecans changes in the distal femoral condyle were observed. These MR findings were essentially consistent with pathologic observation showing multifocal blisters on the articul ar cartilage with an increased amount of turbid synovial fluid in the joint. The results demonstrate that occurrence of ofloxacin arthropath y in juvenile dogs can be clearly diagnosed by use of MR imaging.