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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Comparison of Radiography and Computed Tomography for Evalua...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(9); 1459; doi: 10.3390/ani13091459

Comparison of Radiography and Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Third Carpal Bone Fractures in Horses.

Abstract: Radiographs underestimate the extent of bone injury in horses with third carpal bone (C3) fractures (Fx). We aimed to describe bone pathologies identified using computed tomography (CT) and compare the diagnostic value of digital radiography (DR) and CT in horses with C3 Fx. CT images of 15 racehorses with C3 Fx and 10 controls were reviewed (Part 1) then DR and CT images of 26 racehorses (24 Thoroughbred, 2 Standardbred) with C3 Fx (Part 2) were evaluated. Agreement on fracture geometry and concomitant bone lesions was tested between DR and CT using the kappa statistic (Part 2). For agreement analysis, 38 limbs were used (27 Fx carpi from 26 horses and 11 contralateral carpi). Intermodality agreement was good for recognition of displacement, fair for comminution, articular surface bone loss and osseous fragmentation, and poor-slight for recognition of whether the Fx was complete, additional fissures and lucencies. CT provides more detailed information than DR regarding bone pathology and fracture configuration in horses with C3 fracture. Correlation of CT findings with clinical information and outcome needs to be explored; however, the more accurate diagnosis possible with CT is likely valuable when deciding on the most appropriate management and for surgical planning.
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Publication Date: 2023-04-25 PubMed ID: 37174496PubMed Central: PMC10177357DOI: 10.3390/ani13091459Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 article highlights the superiority of computed tomography (CT) over digital radiography (DR) in detecting the extent of third carpal bone fractures in horses, providing crucial information for better diagnosis and management.

Objective and Study Design

  • The aim of the study was to portray bone disorders identified using computed tomography (CT) and to compare the diagnostic value of digital radiography (DR) and CT on horses with third carpal bone fractures. This objective was based on the prevailing assumption that radiographs tend to underestimate the full extent of bone injuries.
  • To achieve this objective, CT images from different racehorses were reviewed and compared with DR images. The horses were divided into two groups: one with reported carpal bone injuries (15 racehorses) and a control group of 10 horses.
  • For the comparability and reliability tests, a total of 38 limbs were used. These limbs were extracted from 27 injured horses and 11 from the contralateral group.

Methodology and Results

  • The kappa statistic, a measure of agreement, was utilized to compare the detection of factors such as displacement, comminution, articular surface bone loss and osseous fragmentation between DR and CT scanning methods.
  • The study surmised that CT rendered an improved level of detail on bone pathologies and fracture configuration over DR. Intermodality agreement was observed to be higher for the recognition of displacement but fair on comminution, bone loss, and fragmentation.
  • However, the study noted a poor to slight agreement on whether a fracture was complete and the presence of additional fissures and lucencies.

Conclusion and Implication

  • CT scanning offered more precise diagnosis and valuable information when planning the most appropriate management and surgical operations for carpal bone fractures in horses.
  • However, the authors pointed out that the correlation of CT findings with practical clinical information and outcomes needs further exploration. They also didn’t discount the potential use of DR where CT is unavailable or economically unfeasible.

Cite This Article

APA
Steel C, Ahern B, Zedler S, Vallance S, Galuppo L, Richardson J, Whitton C, Young A. (2023). Comparison of Radiography and Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Third Carpal Bone Fractures in Horses. Animals (Basel), 13(9), 1459. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091459

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 9
PII: 1459

Researcher Affiliations

Steel, Catherine
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Services, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Ahern, Benjamin
  • Equine Specialist Hospital, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Zedler, Steven
  • Equine Specialist Hospital, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Vallance, Stuart
  • Advantage Equine, Ascot Vale, VIC 3032, Australia.
Galuppo, Lawrence
  • Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Richardson, Jennifer
  • Murdoch Veterinary School, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
Whitton, Christopher
  • Werribee Equine Centre, 250 Princes Hwy, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia.
Young, Alex
  • Equine Specialist Hospital, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Woods TDC, Dixon J, Fraser BSL, Melvaine C. Computed Tomographic Tenography of the Equine Carpal Flexor Tendon Sheath. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2025 Mar;66(2):e70019.
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  2. Malekipour F, Whitton RC, Lee PV. Advancements in Subchondral Bone Biomechanics: Insights from Computed Tomography and Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging in Equine Models. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2024 Dec;22(6):544-552.
    doi: 10.1007/s11914-024-00886-ypubmed: 39276168google scholar: lookup
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