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Comparison of radiography and computed tomography to evaluate metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint pathology of paired limbs of thoroughbred racehorses with severe condylar fracture.
Abstract: To compare the orthogonal radiographic (OR) and computed tomographic (CT) appearance of paired Thoroughbred racehorse limbs with severe condylar fracture. Methods: In vitro study. Methods: Cadaveric paired limbs with severe condylar fracture (n=11 horses). Methods: Four standard radiographic and multiple transverse CT images were obtained of the fractured and contralateral limbs centering on the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal (fetlock) joints. Radiographs and CT images were graded by 4 raters, and interobserver agreement was calculated. Imaging evaluations were supplemented by fetlock joint dissection. A consensus description of actual injury and the detection accuracy of OR and CT for that injury was determined. Results- Rater agreement for OR and CT for most pathologic features was good or excellent. OR was similar to CT for the detection of condylar and diaphyseal third metacarpal and metatarsal (MC/MT3) fractures, diaphyseal fractures of the first phalanx (P1), and fracture location on the condyle. CT was superior to OR for detection of MC/MT3 proximal fissures and articular comminution, condylar small cracks and lucencies, and proximal sesamoid fractures. OR was superior to CT for detection of proximal P1 dorsal fractures. Both OR and CT were poor at detecting palmar/planter proximal P1 fractures and coalescing cracks in the subchondral bone of MC/MT3. Conclusions: CT is better than OR for detection of pathology in limbs with condylar fractures, but does not detect every pathologic feature. Conclusions: CT provides superior information of pathology in Thoroughbred racehorses with condylar fractures.
Publication Date: 2006-10-10 PubMed ID: 17026545DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2006.00198.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article is about a study comparing computed tomography (CT) and orthogonal radiography (OR) in detecting severe condylar fractures in Thoroughbred racehorse limbs. The research concludes that CT provides better detection of pathological features, but not all, in limbs with condylar fractures.
Methodology
- The study was conducted in vitro, using paired legs of racehorses with severe condylar fractures. These racehorses number to a total of 11.
- Four standard radiographic and multiple transverse CT images of the fractured and opposing limbs were obtained. These images focused on the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal, commonly known as fetlock joints.
- Four raters graded the radiographs and CT images. The interobserver agreement was calculated which measures the degree of agreement among raters.
- A supplemental method used was dissection of the fetlock joint.
- The real nature of the injury was determined, along with the detection accuracy of OR and CT for that particular injury.
Results
- The rater agreement for most pathologic features detected by CT and OR was good or excellent.
- OR was found to be similar to CT in detecting condylar and diaphyseal fractures of the third metacarpal and metatarsal (MC/MT3), as well as detecting diaphyseal fractures of the first phalanx (P1), and the fracture location on the condyle.
- CT was superior to OR in detecting proximal fissures and articular comminutions of the MC/MT3, small cracks and lucency in the condyle, and proximal sesamoid fractures.
- In contrast, OR was superior to CT in detecting dorsal fractures of the proximal P1.
- However, both OR and CT were inadequate at detecting palmar/planter proximal P1 fractures, and coalescing cracks in the subchondral bone of MC/MT3.
Conclusions
- Though CT is superior to OR in detecting pathology in limbs with condylar fractures, it does not detect every pathological feature.
- Overall, CT provides better information about the pathology in Thoroughbred racehorses with condylar fractures.
Cite This Article
APA
Morgan JW, Santschi EM, Zekas LJ, Scollay-Ward MC, Markel MD, Radtke CL, Sample SJ, Keuler NS, Muir P.
(2006).
Comparison of radiography and computed tomography to evaluate metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint pathology of paired limbs of thoroughbred racehorses with severe condylar fracture.
Vet Surg, 35(7), 611-617.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2006.00198.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory, Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cadaver
- Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
- Fractures, Bone / pathology
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horses / injuries
- Metacarpal Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Metacarpal Bones / pathology
- Metatarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Metatarsal Bones / pathology
- Metatarsophalangeal Joint / diagnostic imaging
- Metatarsophalangeal Joint / pathology
- Radiography / methods
- Radiography / standards
- Radiography / veterinary
- Reproducibility of Results
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / standards
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
- Trauma Severity Indices
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Ciamillo SA, Bills KW, Gassert TM, Richardson DW, Brown KA, Stefanovski D, Ortved KF. Effect of high-speed exercise on subchondral bone in the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joints of 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses in their first year of training. Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):40-48.
- Irandoust S, O'Neil LM, Stevenson CM, Franseen FM, Ramzan PHL, Powell SE, Brounts SH, Loeber SJ, Ergun DL, Whitton RC, Henak CR, Muir P. Comparison of radiography and computed tomography for identification of third metacarpal structural change and associated assessment of condylar stress fracture risk in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):723-736.
- Lin ST, Foote AK, Bolas NM, Peter VG, Pokora R, Patrick H, Sargan DR, Murray RC. Three-Dimensional Imaging and Histopathological Features of Third Metacarpal/Tarsal Parasagittal Groove and Proximal Phalanx Sagittal Groove Fissures in Thoroughbred Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Sep 14;13(18).
- Steel C, Ahern B, Zedler S, Vallance S, Galuppo L, Richardson J, Whitton C, Young A. Comparison of Radiography and Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Third Carpal Bone Fractures in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 25;13(9).
- Johnston GCA, Ahern BJ, Palmieri C, Young AC. Imaging and Gross Pathological Appearance of Changes in the Parasagittal Grooves of Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 24;11(12).
- Dubois MS, Morello S, Rayment K, Markel MD, Vanderby R Jr, Kalscheur VL, Hao Z, McCabe RP, Marquis P, Muir P. Computed tomographic imaging of subchondral fatigue cracks in the distal end of the third metacarpal bone in the thoroughbred racehorse can predict crack micromotion in an ex-vivo model. PLoS One 2014;9(7):e101230.
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