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Equine veterinary journal2023; doi: 10.1111/evj.14015

Comparison of 18 F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography and computed tomography for imaging of the fetlock in 25 nonracehorses.

Abstract: F-sodium fluoride ( F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) has been validated as a useful imaging technique in the racehorse fetlock. The use of F-NaF PET in the nonracehorse fetlock has not been reported. Objective: To describe F-NaF PET findings in nonracehorse fetlocks, to compare with computed tomography (CT) findings and to compare PET findings between horses with and without fetlock pain. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Methods: All horses undergoing F-NaF PET and CT imaging of the fetlock between October 2016 and March 2021 were included in the study. Medical records were reviewed for associated lameness information. Results: Thirty-six fetlocks (33 front and 3 hind) from 25 horses were included. The interobserver agreement for PET [0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.65)] was higher than for CT [0.47 (95% CI 0.43-0.51)]. Increased F-NaF uptake was most common in the medial subchondral bone of the proximal phalanx (23/36), the dorsomedial (20/36) and dorsosagittal (16/36) metacarpal/metatarsal distal subchondral bone, whereas sclerosis was identified on CT in these areas in 22 of 36 (p > 0.9), 33 of 36 (p = 0.001) and 23 of 36 (p = 0.15), respectively. Significant correlations were found between PET grades and both subchondral sclerosis and resorption CT grades (p < 0.001, Spearman r = 0.19 and 0.21, respectively). Abnormal F-NaF uptake in the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) was identified in 12 of 36 of the fetlocks, which was more common than CT abnormalities (3/36, p = 0.02). Periarticular increased uptake was seen in 7 of 36 fetlocks, whereas osteophytosis was recognised on CT in 20 of 36 (p = 0.1). Maximal standardised uptake values (SUVmax) were significantly higher in painful than in nonpainful fetlocks (22.0 and 11.9, respectively, p = 0.038). Conclusions: Retrospective study and limited sample size. Conclusions: Overall PET and CT findings follow a similar distribution in their location. PET identified more abnormalities in the PSBs than CT. SUVmax is a pertinent factor to take into consideration for the assessment of the clinical significance of findings.
© 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-10-23 PubMed ID: 37872742DOI: 10.1111/evj.14015Google 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 study investigates the application of F-sodium fluoride (F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) for imaging nonracehorse fetlocks, comparing its efficacy with computed tomography (CT), and studies differences in PET observations between horses with and without fetlock pain.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective observational study.
  • All horses that underwent F-NaF PET and CT scans between October 2016 and March 2021 for the fetlock (a joint in the horse’s leg) were included.
  • Medical records of these horses were also reviewed to gather information about associated lameness.

Results

  • A total of 36 fetlocks (33 front and 3 hind) from 25 horses were included in the study.
  • The agreement between observers for PET was higher than for CT scans.
  • Increased F-NaF uptake, indicating active bone formation, was most common in certain areas of the fetlock, with sclerosis also identified in these areas via CT scan.
  • There were significant correlations between PET grades and both subchondral sclerosis (hardening of the bone under the cartilage) and resorption CT grades (bone loss).
  • The PET scans identified more abnormalities in the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) than the CT scans did.
  • Increased uptake around the joint (periarticular) was seen in some fetlocks, and osteophytosis (bone spurs) was identified on CT scans in more than half the cases.
  • Painful fetlocks demonstrated significantly higher maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax), which measure the concentration of F-NaF absorbed by the tissues, than non-painful fetlocks.

Conclusions

  • Despite the retrospective nature of the study and the small sample size, the research provides valuable insights.
  • The findings from the PET and CT scans displayed similar distribution patterns in terms of the location of abnormalities.
  • PET scans were more effective in identifying abnormalities in PSBs than CT scans.
  • SUVmax emerged as an important factor to consider when assessing the clinical significance of the findings, particularly in distinguishing between painful and non-painful fetlocks.

Cite This Article

APA
Pige C, Spriet M, Perez-Nogues M, Katzman S, Le Jeune S, Galuppo L. (2023). Comparison of 18 F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography and computed tomography for imaging of the fetlock in 25 nonracehorses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14015

Publication

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

Researcher Affiliations

Pige, Charlene
  • Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Spriet, Mathieu
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Perez-Nogues, Marcos
  • Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Katzman, Scott
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Le Jeune, Sarah
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Galuppo, Larry
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. 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.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14508pubmed: 40314097google 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
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