Abstract

ABSTRACTBarium sulfate was used to study postoperative hematoma formation in 17 canine bone biopsies. If the bone window was left open, x-ray films showed a tune-dependent spread of barium from the bone into the soft tissues. Wound drainage and cast immobilization of the extremity minimized this spread. A methylmethacrylate plug in the cortical window blocked extraosseous spread of the barium, but did not prevent spread of the barium through the medullary space. Injection of barium through a Craig needle into the bone resulted in spread of the barium along the needle track, with little barium remaining in the bone.