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).

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.