Comparative evaluation of tomosynthesis, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings for metacarpophalangeal joints from equine cadavers.

This research compared the effectiveness of different imaging techniques – tomosynthesis, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – on equine metacarpophalangeal joints taken from cadavers. The study found that tomosynthesis may be more accurate than radiography in identifying lesions inside the subchondral bone.

Methods

• The study involved the distal parts of the forelimbs from four equine cadavers. The metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPJs) of these limbs underwent radiography, tomosynthesis, CT, and MRI.
• After the imaging, the MCPJs were disarticulated and observed for the presence of any gross lesions. The success of each imaging method in identifying these lesions was then assessed.
• Each method was also subjectively scored for the quality of the image, and the appearance of various parts of each MCPJ – including the subchondral bone, the articular cartilage, the periarticular margins, and the nearby trabecular bone of the third metacarpal bone, proximal phalanx, and proximal sesamoid bones.

Results

• The research found that some pathological lesions in the subchondral bone of the third metacarpal bone could be identified with tomosynthesis, but not with radiography.
• Overall, the quality of images obtained by tomosynthesis was comparable to those produced by radiography. However, volumetric imaging methods – the CT and MRI – showed superior results compared to both tomosynthesis and radiography when imaging the subchondral bone, articular cartilage, periarticular margins, and adjacent bone.

Conclusion

• Based on these findings, the researchers suggest that tomosynthesis may be more accurate than radiography when investigating lesions within the subchondral bone. This is potentially due to the fact that tomosynthesis is better at reducing the superimposition of regional anatomic features.
• The study also suggests tomosynthesis could be useful as an additional imaging technique, since it can highlight subtle lesions in bone that might not be clearly identified during standard radiographic examinations.