Methods and errors in measurements of synovial fluid volume in stifles with low volume and high viscosity synovial fluid. An experimental study in XXXX .

@entity12897 @entity1237
@entity12897 ( @entity12897 ) volume was calculated using various methods in the stifles of @entity1237 , in which the cranial cruciate ligament had been transected on one side. Measurements were performed prior to surgery and again 4, 8, and 18 weeks following surgery, by measuring the dilution of an injected radioactive tracer diluted by the @entity12897 . Later, 7 months following surgery, @entity12897 volume measurements using simple arthrocentesis were performed on stifles in 9 of the @entity1237 , and the @entity12897 that could not be aspirated, was calculated using 2 indirect methods simultaneously on identical fluids in 3 of these @entity1237 . @entity12897 was also collected directly during staged arthrotomy of the stifles in 4 @entity1237 . There were conflicting results between methods, but the resulting calculated @entity12897 volumes seemed to be larger in the operated stifles compared to the controls for all the methods at about the same degree. The 2 indirect methods used to calculate the fluid remaining in the joints following arthrocentesis gave disparate volume calculations. The experiments revealed sources of error in all methods. Direct methods failed to acquire the total fluid volume, and indirect methods were subject to improper mixing and escape of the injected fluid or synovial fluid or both. It was concluded that none of the methods could be used to measure the "true" volume of @entity12897 , if such a concept exists and can be defined. None of the methods were considered reliable to compare volumes in different type of joints containing this type of fluid. It was, however, concluded that all the methods gave indication of increased @entity12897 volume present on a relative basis when paired joints were compared.
