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Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2010; 51(3); 267-279; doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2009.01653.x

Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and radiography for assessment of noncartilaginous changes in equine metacarpophalangeal osteoarthritis.

Abstract: We compared the ability of 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and computed radiography (CR) to evaluate noncartilaginous structures of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP), and the association of imaging changes with gross cartilage damage in the context of osteoarthritis. Four CR projections, helical single-slice CT, and MRI (Ti-weighted gradient recalled echo [GRE], T2*-weighted GRE with fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition [FIESTA], T2-weighted fast spin echo with fat saturation, and spoiled gradient recalled echo with fat saturation ISPGR-FS]) were performed on 20 racehorse cadaver forelimbs. Osteophytosis, synovial effusion, subchondral bone lysis and sclerosis, supracondylar lysis, joint fragments, bone marrow lesions, and collateral desmopathy were assessed with each modality. Interexaminer agreement was inferior to intraexaminer agreement and was generally moderate (i.e., 0.4 < kappa < 0.6). Subchondral bone sclerosis scores using CT or MRI were correlated significantly with the reference quantitative CT technique used to assess bone mineral density (P < 0.0001). Scores for subchondral lysis and osteophytosis were higher with MRI or CT vs. CR (P < 0.0001). Although differences between modalities were noted, osteophytosis, subchondral sclerosis, and lysis as well as synovial effusion were all associated with the degree of cartilage damage and should be further evaluated as potential criteria to be included in a whole-organ scoring system. This study highlights the capacity of MRI to evaluate noncartilaginous changes in the osteoarthritic equine MCP joint.
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Publication Date: 2010-05-18 PubMed ID: 20469548DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2009.01653.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research explores the comparison of the effectiveness of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and Computed Radiography (CR) in assessing non-cartilaginous changes related to osteoarthritis in a horse’s metacarpophalangeal joint; highlighting that all were associated with the extent of cartilage damage, with MRI proving especially effective.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers performed multiple imaging scans on 20 forelimbs collected from deceased racehorses, including CT, CR, and various forms of MRI.
  • They examined changes in non-cartilaginous structures, such as cases of osteophytosis (bony growth significance of osteoarthritis), synovial effusion (accumulation of fluid in a joint), subchondral bone sclerosis and lysis (hardening and breakdown, respectively), supracondylar lysis, joint fragments, bone marrow abnormalities, and collateral desmopathy (damage to ligaments).
  • After individual analysis, interexaminer and intraexaminer level of agreement were evaluated, with the former found to be moderate.

Results and Conclusion

  • The researchers found a significant correlation between the scores of subchondral bone sclerosis (hardening beneath cartilage of joints), ascertained using MRI or CT, and the reference quantitative CT technique utilized to review bone mineral density.
  • Scoring higher with MRI or CT compared to CR, it was found that changes such as osteophytosis, subchondral sclerosis, and lysis as well as synovial effusion were all associated to some degree with the severity of the cartilage damage.
  • In conclusion, while different modalities indicated different results, osteophytosis, subchondral sclerosis, and lysis, as well as synovial effusion, were identified to be associated with the extent of cartilage damage, suggesting these as potential criteria to be included in a whole-organ scoring system.
  • The study underscored the capability of MRI as an effective tool to evaluate non-cartilaginous changes in the osteoarthritic equine metacarpophalangeal joint.

Cite This Article

APA
Olive J, D'Anjou MA, Alexander K, Laverty S, Theoret C. (2010). Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and radiography for assessment of noncartilaginous changes in equine metacarpophalangeal osteoarthritis. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 51(3), 267-279. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2009.01653.x

Publication

Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
ISSN: 1058-8183
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 3
Pages: 267-279

Researcher Affiliations

Olive, Julien
  • Department of Veterinary Biomedicine, Faculté de medecine veterinaire, Université de Montreal, 3200 rue Sicotte, P.O. Box 5000, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
D'Anjou, Marc-André
    Alexander, Kate
      Laverty, Sheila
        Theoret, Christine

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Arthrography / veterinary
          • Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging
          • Bone and Bones / pathology
          • Forelimb
          • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
          • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
          • Horses
          • Joints / pathology
          • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
          • Osteoarthritis / diagnosis
          • Osteoarthritis / veterinary
          • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

          Citations

          This article has been cited 21 times.
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