Radiography and ultrasonography were evaluated as tools for diagnosis of the rupture of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) in dogs. Twenty-five dogs were submitted to radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations and their results were compared with those obtained by artrotomy (gold standard). Radiography detected the rupture in 84% (21/25) of the cases, but 16% (4/25) were false-negative. Ultrasonography identified accurately 76% (19/25) of the cases and gave a probable diagnosis for the remaining 24% (6/25) what means that this technique presented 100% of positive results. It was possible to conclude that radiography and ultrasonography are valuable tools for the diagnosis of CrCL rupture in dogs.
Diseases of dogs; cruciate ligament; radiology; ultrasonography
