Comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and histological findings in the navicular bone of horses with foot pain.
Abstract: There is limited knowledge about both histological features in early navicular disease and what histological features are represented by increased signal intensity in fat-suppressed magnetic resonance (MR) images of the navicular bone. Objective: To characterise increased signal intensity in the spongiosa of the navicular bone in fat-suppressed MR images and to compare this with histopathology; and to compare objective grading of all aspects of the navicular bone on MR images with histological findings. Methods: One or both front feet of 22 horses with foot pain and a median lameness duration of 3 months were examined using high-field MR imaging (MRI) and histopathology. The dorsal, palmar, proximal and distal borders of the navicular bone and the spongiosa were assigned an MRI grade (0-3) and a histological grade and compared statistically. Results: Increased signal intensity in the spongiosa of the navicular bone was associated with a variety of abnormalities, including fat atrophy, with lipocytes showing loss of definition of cytoplasmic borders, a proliferation of capillaries within the altered marrow fat, perivascular or interstitial oedema, enlarged intertrabecular bone spaces, fibroplasia and thinned trabeculae showing loss of bone with irregularly spiculated edges of moth-eaten appearance. There were significant associations among histological lesions of the fibrocartilage, calcified cartilage and subchondral bone. There were also significant associations between MRI grading of the spongiosa and both histological marrow fat grade and the combined maximum of the MRI grades for the fibrocartilage. Conclusions: Increased signal intensity in the spongiosa of the navicular bone in fat-suppressed MR images may occur in association with lesions of the fibrocartilage with or without subchondral bone or may represent a separate disease entity, particularly if diffuse, reflecting a variety of alterations of trabecular bone and marrow fat architecture.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2012-04-12 PubMed ID: 22494146DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00565.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the correlation between the histological features of early navicular disease in horses and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. High-field MR images of 22 horses’ navicular bones were compared to histopathological findings to draw associations.
Methodology
- The study involved examining one or both front feet of 22 horses that had been experiencing foot pain for an approximate duration of 3 months.
- Diagnostic techniques used in the study included high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and histopathology to glean detailed insights into the internal structure of the navicular bone.
- Various aspects of the navicular bone including the dorsal, palmar, proximal, and distal borders along with the spongiosa were assigned an MRI grade (ranging between 0-3) and a corresponding histological grade. These were then compared statistically.
Results
- Increased signal intensity in the spongiosa of the navicular bone was linked to a range of abnormalities including fat atrophy, loss of definition of cytoplasmic borders in lipocytes, burgeoning capillaries within the altered marrow fat, perivascular or interstitial edema, enlarged intertrabecular bone spaces, fibroplasia and the thinning of trabeculae showing loss of bone with varied shapes suggestive of a “moth-eaten” appearance.
- Significant relational patterns were observed among histological lesions of the fibrocartilage, calcified cartilage and subchondral bone.
- There were also significant correlations observed between MRI grading of the spongiosa and both the histological marrow fat grade and the maximum of the MRI grades for the fibrocartilage.
Conclusions
- Increased signal intensity in the spongiosa of the fat-suppressed MR images might appear in association with fibrocartilage lesions with or without subchondral bone. It may also indicate a separate disease entity, especially if it is diffused. The association reflects a plethora of alterations in the trabecular bone and marrow fat architecture.
Cite This Article
APA
Dyson S, Blunden T, Murray R.
(2012).
Comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and histological findings in the navicular bone of horses with foot pain.
Equine Vet J, 44(6), 692-698.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00565.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Equine Studies and Centre for Preventative Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Suffolk, UK. sue.dyson@aht.org.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Foot Diseases / diagnosis
- Foot Diseases / pathology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Forelimb / pathology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Pain / diagnosis
- Pain / veterinary
- Tarsal Bones / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- McParland TJ, Horne CR, Robertson JB, Schnabel LV, Nelson NC. Alterations to the synovial invaginations of the navicular bone are associated with pathology of both the navicular apparatus and distal interphalangeal joint when evaluated using high field MRI. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2023 Jan;64(1):9-17.
- Evrard L, Joostens Z, Vandersmissen M, Audigié F, Busoni V. Comparison Between Ultrasonographic and Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in the Podotrochlear Apparatus of Horses With Foot Pain. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:675180.
- Osborn ML, Cornille JL, Blas-Machado U, Uhl EW. The equine navicular apparatus as a premier enthesis organ: Functional implications. Vet Surg 2021 May;50(4):713-728.
- van Veggel ECS, Vanderperren K, Selberg KT, Bergman HJ, Hoogelander B. The Evolution of Lesions on Follow-Up Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Proximal Metacarpal Region in Non-Racing Sport Horses That Returned to Work (2015-2023). Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 8;14(12).
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