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Computed tomography identifies the proximodorsomedial subchondral bone of equine central tarsal bones as a predilection site for sclerosis, demineralisation and associated fractures.
Abstract: The distribution pattern of central tarsal bone (CTB) changes has not been described, except for slab- and dorsomedial-plantarolateral fractures. Objective: To describe CTB changes in CT and document their distribution and associations. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Standing and recumbent tarsal CT studies from 94 clinical cases were retrospectively evaluated. General case information, degree of sclerosis (none-severe), lesions (demineralisation, cystoid, fissure/fracture) and their location were recorded, dividing CTBs into 8 regions. Results: Eighty five of 94 tarsi showed at least one region of moderate to severe sclerosis, of which 90% affected the dorsomedial region. The prevalence of lesions was significantly associated with higher degrees of sclerosis (p = 0.04) at this site. Of 32 demineralising lesions, 21 were in the proximal subchondral bone dorsomedially. Twenty-four CTBs showed fissures/fractures; 19/24 were in a dorsomedial-plantarolateral direction, and 17/19 were associated with demineralisation. Of five fissures/fractures with different configurations, none had associated demineralisation. There were 27 cyst-like lesions, 21/27 in the distal subchondral bone, of which almost half (13/27) located medially. Conclusions: Retrospective design; heterogeneous, warmblood-oriented population; no clinical correlation of findings nor histological confirmation of described changes. Conclusions: Given the links between sclerosis, demineralisation and fissures/fractures, the dorsomedial proximal subchondral bone plate of the CTB must be scrutinised both in CT and radiography.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2025-07-24 PubMed ID: 40703020DOI: 10.1111/evj.70001Google 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.
- Journal Article
Cite This Article
APA
Campana S, Dittmann M, Kircher P, Donati B.
(2025).
Computed tomography identifies the proximodorsomedial subchondral bone of equine central tarsal bones as a predilection site for sclerosis, demineralisation and associated fractures.
Equine Vet J.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70001 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Department of Livestock Sciences, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland.
- Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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