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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Combined standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging and f...
Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.14504

Combined standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging and fan-beam computed tomographic diagnosis of fetlock region pain in 27 sports horses.

Abstract: There is no description of comparative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fan-beam computed tomography (CT) findings in the fetlock of lame sports horses. Objective: To document low-field MRI and fan-beam CT diagnoses in the lame and nonlame limbs of sports horses with fetlock region pain, and to evaluate whether combined imaging provides superior information to either technique alone. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study. Methods: Clinical records of sports horses with pain causing lameness localised to the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint region that had undergone fan-beam CT and low-field MRI were reviewed. Images of both lame and nonlame contralateral limbs were assessed subjectively. Results: Images of 52 limbs (lame n = 31, nonlame n = 21) were analysed. In 16 lame limbs of 13 horses, the most significant abnormality was in the subchondral and trabecular bone of the proximal phalanx (sagittal groove n = 14, medial fovea n = 1, sagittal groove and medial fovea n = 1). All had hyperintense STIR signal that was more extensive than CT abnormalities; CT provided useful information in all limbs. In five lame limbs, the most significant lesion was in the metacarpal condyle(s): an incomplete fracture (n = 1) or resorptive lesions (n = 4); the fracture and two resorptive lesions were not detected using MRI. In nine limbs of eight horses, lesions in multiple locations possibly contributed to pain. In one limb, abnormalities in the medial proximal sesamoid bone and in the palmar ligament were the main findings. Conclusions: Small numbers of limbs with specific abnormalities. Comprehensive imaging of the contralateral limb was not performed in all horses. Absence of follow-up information. Conclusions: Fan-beam CT and low-field MRI provided complementary information and yielded diagnoses and conclusions in some horses that could not have been achieved when using one modality only. Resorptive subchondral bone lesions in the fetlock may be present without associated low-field MRI abnormalities.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-24 PubMed ID: 40123444DOI: 10.1111/evj.14504Google 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.

The research examines the effectiveness of combining low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fan-beam computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing lameness caused by fetlock region pain in sports horses. The study found that using both imaging techniques provide superior diagnosable information than either method alone.

Research Methodology

  • The study utilizes a retrospective descriptive approach. The researchers reviewed clinical records of sports horses experiencing lameness localized to the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint region.
  • These horses had previously undergone both fan-beam CT and low-field MRI diagnosis.
  • Subsequently, images of lame and non-lame contralateral limbs were subjectively evaluated. This assessment involved 52 limbs, including 31 lame limbs and 21 non-lame limbs.

Research Results

  • From the analysis, in 16 lame limbs of 13 horses, the most significant abnormality was found in the subchondral and trabecular bone of the proximal phalanx. This included the sagittal groove and the medial fovea.
  • STIR signal, which was hyperintense, was consistently more extensive than CT abnormalities, indicating that MRI provided more detailed insights. However, CT also provided useful information in all evaluated limbs.
  • In five lame limbs, the most significant lesion was observed in the metacarpal condyle(s). This included an incomplete fracture and resorptive lesions, which were not detected during MRI scanning.
  • In eight horses, multiple location lesions possibly contributed to the pain experienced.
  • In one limb, abnormalities in the medial proximal sesamoid bone and in the palmar ligament were the major findings.

Research Limitations and Conclusions

  • The research acknowledged several limitations, including small numbers of limbs with specific abnormalities, the failure to conduct comprehensive imaging of the contralateral limb in all horses, and the absence of follow-up information.
  • Despite these limitations, the study concluded that fan-beam CT and low-field MRI provided complementary diagnosable information about fetlock region pain in sports horses.
  • Furthermore, the use of the two modalities yielded superior diagnoses and conclusions than either technique alone. For instance, resorptive subchondral bone lesions in the fetlock could be present without associated low-field MRI abnormalities.

Cite This Article

APA
Nagy A, Dyson SJ. (2025). Combined standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging and fan-beam computed tomographic diagnosis of fetlock region pain in 27 sports horses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14504

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Nagy, Annamaria
  • Department and Clinic of Equine Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
Dyson, Sue J
  • Independent Consultant, Market Weston, UK.

Grant Funding

  • Ju00e1nos Bolyai Research Scholarship

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