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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Comparison Between Ultrasonographic and Standing Magnetic Re...
Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 675180; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.675180

Comparison Between Ultrasonographic and Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in the Podotrochlear Apparatus of Horses With Foot Pain.

Abstract: This prospective study aimed to blindly compare the ultrasonographic and standing magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) findings in deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), navicular bone, and navicular bursa in horses with foot pain, positive digital analgesia, and without definitive radiographic diagnosis. Ultrasonography detected more DDFT abnormalities (32/34 feet vs. 27/34 with sMRI) but identified less palmar navicular abnormalities (23/34 feet vs. 30/34 with sMRI). In suprasesamoidean DDFT lesions, which were mainly dorsally located, changes in echogenicity did not correspond to a particular pattern of sMRI signal change. Transcuneal ultrasonography did not allow assessment of morphology and extent of distal DDFT lesions, and sporadically discriminated the affected lobe compared to sMRI. Defects of the palmar compact bone were identified with both modalities except a parasagittal defect, which was only seen at sMRI.
Copyright © 2021 Evrard, Joostens, Vandersmissen, Audigié and Busoni.
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Publication Date: 2021-07-05 PubMed ID: 34291100PubMed Central: PMC8287171DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.675180Google 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 is a comparative analysis between ultrasonography and standing magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) in diagnosing deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), navicular bone, and navicular bursa abnormalities in horses suffering from foot pain without a clear radiographic diagnosis.

Objectives of the Study

  • The study had a primary objective of conducting a blind comparison between ultrasonography and sMRI in their effectiveness to detect abnormalities in the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), navicular bone, and navicular bursa of horses.
  • The research also aimed to provide insights into the limitations and efficiencies of both diagnostic tools in veterinary practice, specifically in horses with foot pain without definitive radiographic diagnosis.

Key Findings of the Study

  • Ultrasonography was found to be more effective in detecting DDFT abnormalities, with a success rate of 32 out of 34 horse feet tested versus the 27 out of 34 feet identified using sMRI.
  • However, sMRI demonstrated stronger performance in identifying palmar navicular abnormalities by spotting them in 30 out of 34 feet, whereas, ultrasonography spotted them only in 23 out of 34 feet.
  • In cases of suprasesamoidean DDFT lesions (mainly located dorsally), no correlation was found between changes in echogenicity (ultrasound) and specific patterns of sMRI signal change.
  • Transcuneal ultrasonography was limited in assessing the morphology and extent of distal DDFT lesions and was only occasionally able to distinguish the affected lobe compared to sMRI.
  • Both ultrasonography and sMRI were able to identify defects in the palmar compact bone, with the exception of a parasagittal defect, which was solely identified through sMRI.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study concluded that while both ultrasonography and sMRI presented effective capabilities for identifying different abnormalities, there were clear differences between the two modalities, each with its own strengths and limitations.
  • This finding underlines the importance of utilizing both diagnostic tools in the practice of equine medicine for an all-encompassing diagnosis and treatment approach.
  • This research contributes significantly to the field of veterinary science by improving our understanding of which technique would better serve the process of diagnosis and consequently treatment, when dealing with specific abnormalities in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Evrard L, Joostens Z, Vandersmissen M, Audigié F, Busoni V. (2021). Comparison Between Ultrasonographic and Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in the Podotrochlear Apparatus of Horses With Foot Pain. Front Vet Sci, 8, 675180. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.675180

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 675180
PII: 675180

Researcher Affiliations

Evrard, Laurence
  • Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals and Equids, Equine Division, Diagnostic Imaging Section, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Joostens, Zoë
  • Medical Imaging Department, Equitom Equine Clinic, Lummen, Belgium.
Vandersmissen, Maxime
  • Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals and Equids, Equine Division, Diagnostic Imaging Section, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Audigié, Fabrice
  • Centre d'Imagerie et de Recherche sur les Affections Locomotrices Equines, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Goustranville, France.
Busoni, Valeria
  • Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals and Equids, Equine Division, Diagnostic Imaging Section, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Barrett MF, Goorchenko GE, Frisbie DD. Comparison of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Identifying Soft Tissue Abnormalities in the Palmar Aspect of the Equine Digit. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jul 17;13(14).
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  2. Scharf A, Acutt E, Bills K, Werpy N. Magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing and managing deep digital flexor tendinopathy in equine athletes: Insights, advances and future directions. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1183-1203.
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  4. Castro-Mesa AF, Resende Faleiros R, Martínez-Aranzales JR. Transmural Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Horse Hoof Internal Structures: Comparative Qualitative Findings-Part 1. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 10;13(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13121951pubmed: 37370461google scholar: lookup
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