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Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(3); 451-459; doi: 10.1111/evj.13299

Chondrosesamoidean ligament enthesopathy: Prevalence and findings in a population of lame horses imaged with positron emission tomography.

Abstract: Increased 18 F-Sodium Fluoride (18 F-NaF) uptake at the chondrosesamoidean ligament (ChSL) attachment on the distal phalanx was identified in an exploratory positron emission tomography (PET) study. The prevalence and significance of this lesion has not been previously investigated. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of this lesion, its association with other imaging findings and with clinical signs. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional analytical study. Methods: All horses with 18 F-NaF PET and computed tomography (CT) imaging of the feet performed between October 2016 and December 2017 were included in the study. All PET scans were independently assessed by two radiologists for increased uptake at the ChSL attachment site and concurrent imaging was reviewed. Clinical findings, treatment and outcome were retrieved from the medical records. Results: Fourteen of 30 horses (20/56 feet) had increased 18 F-NaF uptake in the region of interest. ChSL enthesopathy was the primary lesion in three horses. Other PET abnormalities included navicular bone uptake (13 feet) and ipsilateral palmar process uptake (9 feet). There was no significant association between ChSL enthesopathy and other lesions. ChSL enthesopathy was significantly associated with foot lameness. CT abnormalities at the ChSL attachment were initially identified in one foot, and retrospectively noted in another five following the results of PET imaging. Conclusions: The study is retrospective and there was a limited sample size. Conclusions: PET led to identification of ChSL enthesopathy in a large proportion of horses with foot pain. This finding is most commonly associated with other lesions but may also represent the main abnormality. The axial border of the palmar processes of the distal phalanx should be carefully assessed on cross sectional imaging to identify this lesion. ChSL enthesopathy may be an important but previously not recognised component of foot pathology in horses.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-29 PubMed ID: 32491220DOI: 10.1111/evj.13299Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focuses on a hitherto unexplored horse hoof condition known as Chondrosesamoidean ligament (ChSL) enthesopathy. Researchers used advanced imaging techniques (positron emission tomography and computed tomography) to assess the prevalence of this condition in lame horses and investigated its association with clinical signs and other imaging findings.

Methods and Population

  • The team conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analytical study.
  • The study population consisted of all horses that had undergone F-Sodium Fluoride (F-NaF) PET and CT foot imaging between October 2016 and December 2017.
  • Two independent radiologists evaluated all PET scans for signs of increased F-NaF uptake – an indicator of the ChSL disorder – at the ligament’s attachment site.
  • The team also reviewed concurrent imaging data and retrieved clinical findings, treatment methods, and outcomes from the horses’ medical records.

Key Findings

  • Out of 30 horses, 14 (or 20 out of 56 feet) displayed increased F-NaF uptake in the area of interest – signalling the presence of ChSL enthesopathy.
  • This condition was the primary lesion observed in three horses. Other abnormalities revealed via PET scans included uptake in the navicular bone (13 feet) and the ipsilateral palmar process (9 feet).
  • No significant link was found between ChSL enthesopathy and other lesions.
  • ChSL enthesopathy was, however, significantly associated with foot lameness.
  • Initially, CT abnormalities at the ChSL attachment were found in one foot, but a retrospective analysis identified the same in another five feet following PET imaging.

Conclusion

  • The study, albeit retrospective and limited in sample size, discovered that PET led to the identification of ChSL enthesopathy in a significant number of horses experiencing foot pain.
  • This condition often co-occurs with other lesions, but it can also signify the primary abnormality.
  • The researchers suggest the axial border of the palmar processes of the distal phalanx should be meticulously evaluated during cross-sectional imaging to detect this lesion.
  • ChSL enthesopathy may indeed be a crucial but earlier unnoticed component of foot pathology in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Norvall A, Spriet M, Espinosa P, Ariño-Estrada G, Murphy BG, Katzman SA, Galuppo LD. (2020). Chondrosesamoidean ligament enthesopathy: Prevalence and findings in a population of lame horses imaged with positron emission tomography. Equine Vet J, 53(3), 451-459. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13299

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 3
Pages: 451-459

Researcher Affiliations

Norvall, Amy
  • Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Spriet, Mathieu
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Espinosa, Pablo
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Ariño-Estrada, Gerard
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Murphy, Brian G
  • Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Katzman, Scott A
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Galuppo, Larry D
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Enthesopathy / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal
  • Ligaments
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies

Grant Funding

  • UC Davis Center for Equine Health
  • State of California

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This article includes 20 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Turek B, Pawlikowski M, Jankowski K, Borowska M, Skierbiszewska K, Jasiński T, Domino M. Selection of density standard and X-ray tube settings for computed digital absorptiometry in horses using the k-means clustering algorithm. BMC Vet Res 2025 Mar 13;21(1):165.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04591-5pubmed: 40082938google scholar: lookup
  2. Spriet M, Vandenberghe F. Equine Nuclear Medicine in 2024: Use and Value of Scintigraphy and PET in Equine Lameness Diagnosis. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 28;14(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14172499pubmed: 39272284google scholar: lookup
  3. Peat FJ, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Berk JT, Keenan DP. Concurrent radiological and ultrasonographical findings in the forelimb proximal sesamoid bones and adjacent suspensory ligament branches in yearling and 2-year-old Thoroughbred sales horses. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):654-665.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14120pubmed: 39039612google scholar: lookup
  4. Greco A, Meomartino L, Gnudi G, Brunetti A, Di Giancamillo M. Imaging techniques in veterinary medicine. Part II: Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine. Eur J Radiol Open 2023;10:100467.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ejro.2022.100467pubmed: 36570419google scholar: lookup
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