Retained cartilage core is a failure of enchondral ossification seen in the distal ulnar metaphysis of growing large breed dogs.
On this page:
Epidemiology
Large breed dogs with open physes are at risk for retained cartilage core.
Associations
Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds are breeds in which this disorder can be seen. Retained cartilage core can also be seen in Labrador Retrievers with inherited ocular chondrodysplasia.
Clinical presentation
Dogs present asymptomatically in cases where the retained cartilage core is an incidental finding. In others, the disruption of enchondral ossification causes shortening of the ulna and results in procurvatum of the distal radius and an angular limb deformity.
Pathology
Retained cartilage core is a type of osteochondrosis where there is failure of enchondral ossification from physeal cartilage to normal bone. The chondrocytes remain present in the metaphyseal bone.
The retained cartilage core is bilateral and occurs in the distal ulna. One case of retained cartilage core in the radius of a small dog has been reported. Histologically, large chondrocytes are present in the distal ulnar metaphysis.
Radiographic features
The retained cartilage cores are radiolucent, cone shaped areas that extend 3-4 cm into the ulnar metaphysis, with the wide end of the cone confluent with the physis. There may be a rim of sclerotic bone separating it from the metaphysis.
Secondary changes include procurvatum of the radius due to shortening of the ulna, elbow and carpal subluxation, and valgus deviation of the manus.
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.