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Comparison of radiography, nuclear scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging for detection of specific conditions of the distal tarsal bones of horses: 20 cases (2006-2010).
Abstract: To describe pathological findings identified with MRI in the distal tarsal bones of horses with unilateral hind limb lameness attributable to tarsal pain and to compare the usefulness of MRI with that of radiography and nuclear scintigraphy in evaluation of this region. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 20 lame horses. Methods: In all horses, MRI, radiography (4 standard projections), and nuclear scintigraphy of the tarsus had been performed. Horses were excluded if the results of all 3 imaging modalities were not available or if lameness was detected in more than 1 limb. Pathological changes identified with MRI were cross-referenced with the findings determined with other imaging modalities. Results: Compared with MRI findings, the following lesions were identified with radiography: medullary and subchondral bone sclerosis in 9 of 16 horses, pathological changes related to osseous hyperintensity in 0 of 10 horses, and osteoarthritis in 5 of 8 horses. Standard radiographic projections did not aid in the identification of fracture of the distal tarsal bones (3 horses). Location of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake with nuclear scintigraphy corresponded with the location of pathological changes detected with MRI in all horses. The intensity of the radiopharmaceutical uptake on nuclear scintigraphic images did not correspond with the severity of the pathological changes identified with MRI. Conclusions: Radiography was unreliable for the detection of pathological changes related to osseous hyperintensity identified with MRI, fracture, and subchondral bone sclerosis in the equine tarsus. Nuclear scintigraphy was effective in localizing pathological changes, but MRI provided superior anatomic detail.
Publication Date: 2012-04-21 PubMed ID: 22515633DOI: 10.2460/javma.240.9.1109Google 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 study compared the efficacy of radiography, nuclear scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying specific diseases of the distal tarsal bones in horses with unilateral hind limb lameness due to tarsal pain. Findings suggested that MRI provided superior anatomical detail in detecting pathological changes, while radiography was found to be less reliable, and nuclear scintigraphy was most effective in only localizing the disease.
Methods:
- The researchers used a retrospective case series approach and examined 20 horses that had shown signs of lameness.
- All the horses had undergone MRI, radiography, and nuclear scintigraphy of the tarsus.
- The criterion for exclusion was if results from all three imaging methods were unavailable or if the lameness was detected in more than one limb.
- The MRI results were collated and compared with findings from the other two imaging methods.
Results:
- The radiography was lesser effective in the detection of medullary and subchondral bone sclerosis, osseous hyperintensity-related pathological changes, and osteoarthritis compared to MRI.
- The method failed to aid in the identification of fracture of the distal tarsal bones in three horses.
- Nuclear scintigraphy, while able to determine the location of the pathological changes, did not reflect the severity of the changes compared to MRI.
Conclusion:
- Radiography was inadequate for detecting pathological changes connected to osseous hyperintensity identified through MRI, fractures, and subchondral bone sclerosis in horse’s tarsus.
- Nuclear scintigraphy could effectively localize the pathological changes but failed to provide an anatomical detail compared to MRI.
- The study concludes that MRI provides superior anatomical detail in detecting pathological changes in horses’ distal tarsal bones.
Cite This Article
APA
Daniel AJ, Judy CE, Rick MC, Saveraid TC, Herthel DJ.
(2012).
Comparison of radiography, nuclear scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging for detection of specific conditions of the distal tarsal bones of horses: 20 cases (2006-2010).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 240(9), 1109-1114.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.240.9.1109 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA. adanielvet@gmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Male
- Radiography
- Radionuclide Imaging / veterinary
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- Retrospective Studies
- Tarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Tarsal Bones / pathology
- Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Tarsus, Animal / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Steiger JI, Richter H, Donati B, Ohlerth S. Diagnostic Performance of Radiography for the Evaluation of Osteoarthritis in the Equine Distal Tarsus: Comparison with Computed Tomography. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 27;15(17).
- McCoy AM, Scolman KN. Impact of periarticular osteophytes of the distal tarsus diagnosed in nonlame yearling Standardbred horses on racing performance. Vet Surg 2023 Oct;52(7):1050-1056.
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