Indian Journal of Veterinary Surgery

Osteomedullography of the tibia was conducted in both the tibiae of 16 adult healthy dogs. The animals were divided into 2 groups of 4 and 12 dogs. The 4 dogs of the first group were used to standardize the technique. The 12 dogs of second group were utilized to study the venous circulation using tourniquet and phlebocompression techniques. Observations were made by injecting contrast material (Sodium iothalamate) in distal as well as in proximal metaphyses (6 with tourniquet application and 6 with phlebocompression technique). A total of 24 observations were taken. Radiographic exposures obtained at the last phase of injection of contrast material provided excellent osteomedullographic details and demonstrated the intra– and extra–osseous venous channels. Phlebocompression technique demonstrated all the components of intra-osseous system very clearly, while tourniquet method also aided in the visualization of extra-osseous vessels. Introduction of contrast material in the proximal metaphysis resulted in better filling of both ascending and descending medullary vessels, but failed to opacify the distal metaphyseo-epiphyseal venous system. The intraosseous venous system consisted of central medullary vein, metaphyseo-epiphyseal veins, venous sinusoids, endosteal veins and nutrient veins. The contrast material quickly drained out of the bone.