Analysis of a radiographic technique for measurement of equine metacarpal bone shape.
Abstract: Accuracy and limitations of a radiographic technique were established for measurement of metacarpal bone shape in horses. A radiographic index (RI) has been used to measure changes in third metacarpal (Mc3) bone shape in response to training in young racehorses. The aim of these experiments was to determine the effects of positioning of the radiographic equipment on RI measurements from lateromedial radiographs of a left ex vivo metacarpus. Repeatability of the RI measurement in left lateromedial and right mediolateral view Mc3s were evaluated. The width of the dorsal cortex (DC), palmar cortex (PC) and medulla (M) were measured at a position 25 mm distal to the nutrient foramen and the RI calculated where RI = [(DC + PC)/M] x [DC/PC]. The reference RI values were obtained from 12 standard lateromedial radiographs. Factors analysed included the optimum focus-object distance, the angle at which the x-ray machine was positioned, the distance of the cassette from the limb, and the horizontal angle and vertical tilt of the cassette. The RI values included within the confidence interval (mean +/- 1.96 x s.d.) were considered sufficiently accurate. The optimum focus-object distance was 1 m. Accurate measurements were obtained when the cassette was held as close to the limb as possible with the horizontal angle not exceeding 5 degrees. The x-ray machine needed to be orientated within 6 degrees of the lateromedial plane. These findings suggest that the radiographic index can be used to measure Mc3 bone shape, providing there is accurate alignment of the x-ray machine, cassette, and limb, with respect to one another.
Publication Date: 2001-11-28 PubMed ID: 11721555DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb05377.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigated the accuracy and limitations of a radiographic technique for measuring the shape of the metacarpal bone in horses and established best practices for positioning of the radiography equipment to obtain the most accurate measurements.
Objective and Methodology
- The goal of the study was to determine how the positioning of radiographic equipment can impact the measurements drawn from radiographs of a horse’s left metacarpus bone – specifically, the third metacarpal (MC3) bone.
- The researchers used a metric called the Radiographic Index (RI) to measure changes in the MC3 bone shape. This index is calculated using formula [(DC + PC)/M] x [DC/PC], where DC stands for dorsal cortex width, PC refers to palmar cortex width, and M refers to the width of the medulla.
- The accuracy and repeatability of the RI measurements were evaluated across various positioning parameters such as focus-object distance, horizontal and vertical angles of the x-ray machine and the distance of the cassette from the limb.
Findings
- The optimal focus-object distance for the radiographic procedure was found to be 1 meter.
- The most accurate measurements were achieved when the cassette was held as close to the limb as possible and the horizontal angle did not exceed 5 degrees.
- The x-ray machine needed to be oriented within 6 degrees of the lateromedial plane for the best results.
- RI values within the confidence interval (mean +/- 1.96 x standard deviation) were considered sufficiently accurate.
Conclusion
- The results of the study show that the positioning of the radiography equipment, specifically the x-ray machine and the cassette, can significantly affect the accuracy of measurements of horses’ MC3 bone shape.
- The findings suggest the radiographic index is a viable tool to measure the MC3 bone shape, but only if the x-ray machine, cassette, and limb are appropriately aligned. This highlights the importance of accurately positioning the equipment in equine radiographic procedures.
Cite This Article
APA
Walter LJ, Davies HM.
(2001).
Analysis of a radiographic technique for measurement of equine metacarpal bone shape.
Equine Vet J Suppl(33), 141-144.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb05377.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee 3030, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb / anatomy & histology
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Metacarpus / anatomy & histology
- Metacarpus / diagnostic imaging
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Radiography
- Running / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Son JK, De Paz P, Kim J, Sanaei R, Ryu S, Bailey S, Davies HMS. The change in third metacarpal mid-diaphyseal radiographic dimensions in Thoroughbred foals through growth. Equine Vet J 2025 Nov;57(6):1600-1611.
- Son JK, De Paz P, Kim J, Sanaei R, Seungho R, Bailey S, Davies HMS. Distal forelimb radiographic bone morphology in Thoroughbred foals during the first 10 months post-partum. Part 1: Carpus. Vet Med Sci 2024 Jul;10(4):e31539.
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