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Comparison of radiography and ultrasonography to detect osteochondrosis lesions in the tarsocrural joint: a prospective study.
Abstract: Lesions located on the medial malleolus of the tarsocrural joint can be difficult to image radiographically. Ultrasonography allows evaluation of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Objective: To compare dorso30 degrees lateral-plantaromedial-oblique (DL-PIMO) and dorso45 degrees views to detect lesions on the medial malleolus, to validate the use of ultrasonography to show lesions in the tarsocrural joint and to compare its sensitivity to radiography. Methods: Tarsocrural joints (n=111) with osteochondrosis were evaluated ultrasonographically and radiographically prior to arthroscopic lesion debridement. A complete radiographic examination was made and the best view to detect each lesion recorded. Longitudinal and transverse ultrasonography of the dorsal aspect of the joint was performed and the best scan plane to image each lesion recorded. Results: There were 94 joints with lesions on the distal intermediate ridge of tibia, 24 with lesions on the medial malleolus, and 4 with lesions on the lateral trochlear ridge. The sensitivity of radiography to detect lesions on the medial malleolus and distal intermediate ridge of tibia was 71 and 96%, respectively. Eighty-two percent of lesions on the medial malleolus were better imaged on dorso30 degrees view. The sensitivity of ultrasonography to detect lesions on the medial malleolus and distal intermediate ridge of tibia was 83 and 98%, respectively. Ultrasonography was significantly more sensitive than radiography to detect lesions on the medial malleolus and distal intermediate ridge of tibia. Conclusions: Dorso30 degrees lateral-plantaromedial-oblique view was the best to image lesions on the medial malleolus. Ultrasonography was a valuable diagnostic tool to diagnose lesions in the tarsocrural joint and was more sensitive than radiography for lesions located on the medial malleolus and distal intermediate ridge of tibia. Conclusions: Radiographic examination should include a dorso30 degrees view for detection of lesions on the medial malleolus and ultrasonography should be considered to diagnose osteochondrosis in the tarsocrural joints.
Publication Date: 2009-03-24 PubMed ID: 19301579DOI: 10.2746/042516408x343019Google 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 presents a comparative study between radiography and ultrasonography to detect bone lesions in the tarsocrural joint. The study reveals that ultrasonography proves more effective than radiography in detecting certain bone lesions, specifically those on the medial malleolus and distal intermediate ridge of tibia.
Objective of the Study
- The study aimed to compare two different radiographic views – the dorso30 degrees lateral-plantaromedial-oblique (DL-PIMO) and dorso45 degrees, for their effectiveness in detecting lesions on the medial malleolus of the tarsocrural joint. Additionally, the study sought to validate the use of ultrasonography for detecting these lesions and compare its sensitivity to radiography.
Procedure and Methods
- A total of 111 tarsocrural joints suffering from osteochondrosis were evaluated through both ultrasonography and radiography. The evaluation was performed before the arthroscopic debridement of the lesion to provide a pure comparison.
- A comprehensive radiographic examination was conducted and the most effective view to detect each lesion was recorded.
- Longitudinal and transverse ultrasonography of the dorsal aspect of the joint was carried out and the optimal scan plane for imaging each lesion was documented.
Results of the Study
- The study discovered that the tarsocrural joints had 94 lesions on the distal intermediate ridge of tibia, 24 on the medial malleolus, and 4 on the lateral trochlear ridge.
- Radiography had a sensitivity of 71% to locate lesions on the medial malleolus and 96% for those on the distal intermediate ridge of tibia.
- For lesions on the medial malleolus, the dorso30 degrees view was found to be more effective, capturing 82% of the lesions.
- Ultrasonography was observed to have a higher sensitivity than radiography with 83% for detecting lesions on the medial malleolus and 98% for those on the distal intermediate ridge of tibia. Thus, ultrasonography was found significantly more sensitive than radiography in detecting these particular lesions.
Conclusions of the Study
- The study concluded that the dorso30 degrees lateral-plantaromedial-oblique view was most effective in imaging lesions on the medial malleolus.
- The sensitivity and efficiency of ultrasonography in diagnosing lesions in the tarsocrural joint made it a valuable diagnostic tool, delivering better sensitivity than radiography for lesions located on the medial malleolus and distal intermediate ridge of tibia.
- As far as radiography is concerned, the study recommends including a dorso30 degrees view for better detection of lesions on the medial malleolus.
- For diagnosing osteochondrosis in the tarsocrural joints, the study endorses considering ultrasonography due to its high sensitivity.
Cite This Article
APA
Relave F, Meulyzer M, Alexander K, Beauchamp G, Marcoux M.
(2009).
Comparison of radiography and ultrasonography to detect osteochondrosis lesions in the tarsocrural joint: a prospective study.
Equine Vet J, 41(1), 34-40.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516408x343019 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Départment de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cartilage, Articular / diagnostic imaging
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Osteochondrosis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteochondrosis / veterinary
- Prospective Studies
- Radiography
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Tarsal Joints / diagnostic imaging
- Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Van Cauter R, Serteyn D, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Caudron I. Evaluation of the appearance of osteochondrosis lesions by two radiographic examinations in sport horses aged from 12 to 36 months. PLoS One 2023;18(5):e0286213.
- Nocera I, Puccinelli C, Sgorbini M, Bagnoli E, Citi S. Ultrasonography of the Metacarpal/Tarsal-Phalangeal Joints in Healthy Racehorses: Normal Appearance, Breed-Related and Age-Related Features. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 3;12(19).
- Hoey S, O'Sullivan J, Byrne J, Devine S, Toomey W, McAllister H, Skelly C. Ultrasound screening protocol for osteochondrosis at selected predilection sites in thoroughbred yearlings. Ir Vet J 2022 Apr 27;75(1):8.
- McCoy AM, Toth F, Dolvik NI, Ekman S, Ellermann J, Olstad K, Ytrehus B, Carlson CS. Articular osteochondrosis: a comparison of naturally-occurring human and animal disease. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2013 Nov;21(11):1638-47.
- Baccarin RY, Pereira MA, Roncati NV, Bergamaschi RR, Hagen SC. Development of osteochondrosis in Lusitano foals: a radiographic study. Can Vet J 2012 Oct;53(10):1079-84.
- Van Cauter R, Caudron I, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Serteyn D. Distal sagittal forelimb conformation in young Walloon horses: Radiographic assessment and its relationship with osteochondral fragments. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0311965.
- Hoey S, Fogarty U, McAllister H, Puggioni A, Cloak B, Richard H, Skelly C, Laverty S. Ultrasonographic assessment of equine metacarpal cartilage thickness is more accurate than computed tomographic arthrography. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2025 Jan;66(1):e13444.
- Van Cauter R, Caudron I, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Serteyn D. Nineteen years of radiographic screening: Impact of sepsis and evolution of osteochondrosis dissecans prevalence in Walloon sport horses born between 2004 and 2022. PLoS One 2024;19(9):e0308304.
- Almohamad Z. Ultrasonography of the normal donkey tarsus (equus asinus). Sci Rep 2024 May 7;14(1):10425.
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