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To cite this article: Joe P. Morgan DVM, Vet med dr, Pamela H. Eisele DVM (1992)
RADIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN RHESUS MACAQUES AFFECTED BY SCURVY
Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound 33 (6), 334–339.
doi:10.1111/j.1740-8261.1992.tb00155.x

Abstract
RADIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN RHESUS MACAQUES AFFECTED BY SCURVY

* Joe P. Morgan, DVM, Vet med dr (1)
1- Department of Radiological Sciences and California Regional Primate Research Center,

* Pamela H. Eisele, DVM (2)
2- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.

Direct correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. J.P. Morgan, Department of Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616–8742.

This work was supported by Grant RR00169 of the National Institutes of Health.

Abstract

Spontaneous vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy, was recognized in juvenile rhesus monkeys maintained in a research center as a result of being fed a commercial diet for 2 to 3 months with low levels of vitamin C. Most severely affected animals (13) were radiographed repeatedly up to day 300 following detection of the disease. Early radiographic changes consisted of widened, lucent metaphyses with lateral flaring and radiopaque metaphyseal lines at the junction of the metaphyses and physes. Physeal slippage was noted commonly. Following institution of vitamin C therapy, calcification of subperiosteal hemorrhage occurred in the metaphyseal regions. Metaphyses and physes returned to normal radiographic appearance within 15 to 30 days. Initially, the ubperiosteal hemorrhage progressed and a longer time was required for resolution of the calcified hematomas. The macaques improved clinically and were released from the hospital when fractures were stable at 4–5 weeks after admission. Of the 13 macaques studied, all but one returned as normal members of the colony.