FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
American journal of veterinary research2003; 64(3); 366-375; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.366

Computerized ultrasonographic tissue characterization of equine superficial digital flexor tendons by means of stability quantification of echo patterns in contiguous transverse ultrasonographic images.

Abstract: To describe a method of computerized ultrasonographic tissue characterization that includes structures below the size limits of resolution in equine superficial digital flexor tendons. Methods: 2 damaged and 2 structurally normal superficial digital flexor tendons. Methods: Transverse ultrasonographic images were collected along the tendon long axis. Stability of echo pattern was quantified by means of variation in gray levels of each pixel in contiguous images and expressed as correlation, entropy, and waviness ratios. Results: Normal young and normal old tissues were characterized by high correlation and low entropy and waviness ratios. In necrotic tissue, collapsed intratendinous septa resulted in high correlation, moderate entropy, and high waviness ratios. In early granulation tissue, complete lack of bundle formation resulted in values of zero for correlation and waviness ratios; loose connective tissue matrix resulted in a high entropy ratio. In late granulation tissue, formation of new bundles resulted in a high correlation ratio; swollen intratendinous septa and incomplete organization of connective tissue matrix were reflected in high entropy and waviness ratios. In early fibrotic tissue, rearrangement of tendon bundles resulted in a correlation ratio within reference range and a slight increase in the waviness ratio; an increase in cellularity and lack of fibrillar arrangement led to an increase in the entropy ratio. In late fibrotic and scar tissues, inferior quality of repair with almost complete lack of organization was reflected in low to moderate correlation, low waviness, and high entropy ratios. Conclusions: Stability of echo patterns accurately reflects homogeneity of tendons in horses.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2003-03-29 PubMed ID: 12661879DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.366Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study details a process for analyzing the structural health of equine superficial digital flexor tendons using computerized ultrasonographic images. Using this method, researchers were able to detect structural abnormalities and measure their implications on the tendon’s overall stability.

Research Methodology

  • The research employed a computerized ultrasonographic tissue characterization method intending to include structures below the size limits of conventional resolution in equine superficial digital flexor tendons.
  • This methodology was tested on two damaged equine tendons and two structurally sound ones. Transverse ultrasonographic images were captured along the tendon’s long axis.
  • The stability of echo patterns was studied through the variation in gray levels of each pixel in images captured. The variations were quantified and expressed as correlation, entropy, and waviness ratios.

Results and Findings

  • The results reflected different states of tendon health. Normal young and old tissue had high correlation and low entropy and waviness ratios, demonstrating their structural integrity.
  • Necrotic, or unhealthy tissue, displayed high correlation, moderate entropy, and higher waviness ratios. These changes were attributed to impressions left by collapsed intratendinous septa, an internal tendon structure.
  • During the initial stages of granulation, a healing process, values of zero were observed for correlation and waviness ratios. This was due to a complete lack of bundle formation in the tendon tissues.
  • In late granulation tissue, the formation of new bundles reflected a high correlation ratio. High entropy and waviness ratios indicated swollen intratendinous septa and incomplete organization of the connective tissue matrix.
  • The early fibrotic tissue’s arrangement led to a correlation ratio within reference range and a minor increase in the waviness ratio. However, an increase in cellularity and the lack of fibrillar arrangement contributed to a higher entropy ratio.
  • Lastly, late fibrotic and scar tissues tend to be of inferior repair quality, with almost a complete lack of organization. This was indicated by low-to-moderate correlation, low waviness, and high entropy ratios.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that the stability of echo patterns in ultrasonographic images can accurately represent the homogeneity, or uniformity, of the tendons in horses.
  • This can be a valuable method for identifying tendon damage or disease in horses and, quite possibly, in other animals or humans, aiding in the early diagnoses and treatment planning for tendon-related injuries and disorders.

Cite This Article

APA
van Schie HT, Bakker EM, Jonker AM, van Weeren PR. (2003). Computerized ultrasonographic tissue characterization of equine superficial digital flexor tendons by means of stability quantification of echo patterns in contiguous transverse ultrasonographic images. Am J Vet Res, 64(3), 366-375. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.366

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 64
Issue: 3
Pages: 366-375

Researcher Affiliations

van Schie, Hans T M
  • Leiden Institute for Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 1, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
Bakker, Erwin M
    Jonker, A Mieke
      van Weeren, P Rene

        MeSH Terms

        • Aging
        • Animals
        • Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
        • Forelimb / pathology
        • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses
        • Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
        • Tendon Injuries / pathology
        • Tendon Injuries / veterinary
        • Tendons / diagnostic imaging
        • Tendons / pathology
        • Ultrasonography

        Citations

        This article has been cited 21 times.
        1. Crawford SK, Lee KS, Bashford GR, Heiderscheit BC. Intra-session and inter-rater reliability of spatial frequency analysis methods in skeletal muscle. PLoS One 2020;15(7):e0235924.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235924pubmed: 32649705google scholar: lookup
        2. Rabello LM, Albers IS, van Ark M, Diercks RL, van den Akker-Scheek I, Zwerver J. Running a Marathon-Its Influence on Achilles Tendon Structure. J Athl Train 2020 Feb;55(2):176-180.
          doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-49-19pubmed: 31935137google scholar: lookup
        3. Lawson A, Noorkoiv M, Masci L, Mohagheghi AA. Ankle Joint Position and the Reliability of Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of the Achilles Tendon: A Pilot Study. Med Sci Monit 2019 Sep 13;25:6884-6893.
          doi: 10.12659/MSM.915685pubmed: 31516131google scholar: lookup
        4. Pereira CS, Santos RCG, Whiteley R, Finni T. Reliability and methodology of quantitative assessment of harvested and unharvested patellar tendons of ACL injured athletes using ultrasound tissue characterization. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2019;11:12.
          doi: 10.1186/s13102-019-0124-xpubmed: 31360525google scholar: lookup
        5. King D, Yakubek G, Chughtai M, Khlopas A, Saluan P, Mont MA, Genin J. Quadriceps tendinopathy: a review-part 1: epidemiology and diagnosis. Ann Transl Med 2019 Feb;7(4):71.
          doi: 10.21037/atm.2019.01.58pubmed: 30963066google scholar: lookup
        6. Washburn N, Onishi K, Wang JH. Ultrasound elastography and ultrasound tissue characterisation for tendon evaluation. J Orthop Translat 2018 Oct;15:9-20.
          doi: 10.1016/j.jot.2018.06.003pubmed: 30258782google scholar: lookup
        7. Rudavsky A, Cook J, Magnusson SP, Kjaer M, Docking S. Characterising the proximal patellar tendon attachment and its relationship to skeletal maturity in adolescent ballet dancers. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J 2017 Apr-Jun;7(2):306-314.
          doi: 10.11138/mltj/2017.7.2.306pubmed: 29264342google scholar: lookup
        8. Geburek F, Roggel F, van Schie HTM, Beineke A, Estrada R, Weber K, Hellige M, Rohn K, Jagodzinski M, Welke B, Hurschler C, Conrad S, Skutella T, van de Lest C, van Weeren R, Stadler PM. Effect of single intralesional treatment of surgically induced equine superficial digital flexor tendon core lesions with adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: a controlled experimental trial. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017 Jun 5;8(1):129.
          doi: 10.1186/s13287-017-0564-8pubmed: 28583184google scholar: lookup
        9. Payne C, Webborn N, Watt P, Cercignani M. Poor reproducibility of compression elastography in the Achilles tendon: same day and consecutive day measurements. Skeletal Radiol 2017 Jul;46(7):889-895.
          doi: 10.1007/s00256-017-2629-2pubmed: 28378201google scholar: lookup
        10. Masci L, Spang C, van Schie HT, Alfredson H. Achilles tendinopathy-do plantaris tendon removal and Achilles tendon scraping improve tendon structure? A prospective study using ultrasound tissue characterisation. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2015;1(1):e000005.
          doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2015-000005pubmed: 27900118google scholar: lookup
        11. Geburek F, Gaus M, van Schie HT, Rohn K, Stadler PM. Effect of intralesional platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on clinical and ultrasonographic parameters in equine naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendinopathies - a randomized prospective controlled clinical trial. BMC Vet Res 2016 Sep 7;12(1):191.
          doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0826-1pubmed: 27604193google scholar: lookup
        12. Spinella G, Britti D, Loprete G, Musella V, Romagnoli N, Vilar JM, Valentini S. Relative Echogenicity of Tendons and Ligaments of the Palmar Metacarpal Region in Foals from Birth to 4 Months of Age: A Longitudinal Study. PLoS One 2016;11(7):e0159953.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159953pubmed: 27441630google scholar: lookup
        13. Tsai YH, Huang KC, Shen SH, Yang TY, Huang TJ, Hsu RW. Quantification of sonographic echogenicity by the gray-level histogram in patients with supraspinatus tendinopathy. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2014 Jul;41(3):343-9.
          doi: 10.1007/s10396-013-0516-6pubmed: 27277909google scholar: lookup
        14. Masci L, Spang C, van Schie HT, Alfredson H. How to diagnose plantaris tendon involvement in midportion Achilles tendinopathy - clinical and imaging findings. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2016 Feb 24;17:97.
          doi: 10.1186/s12891-016-0955-5pubmed: 26912241google scholar: lookup
        15. Wong AM, Docking SI, Cook JL, Gaida JE. Does type 1 diabetes mellitus affect Achilles tendon response to a 10 km run? A case control study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2015 Nov 10;16:345.
          doi: 10.1186/s12891-015-0803-zpubmed: 26556589google scholar: lookup
        16. Geburek F, Lietzau M, Beineke A, Rohn K, Stadler PM. Effect of a single injection of autologous conditioned serum (ACS) on tendon healing in equine naturally occurring tendinopathies. Stem Cell Res Ther 2015 Jun 26;6(1):126.
          doi: 10.1186/s13287-015-0115-0pubmed: 26113022google scholar: lookup
        17. McCreesh K, Lewis J. Continuum model of tendon pathology - where are we now?. Int J Exp Pathol 2013 Aug;94(4):242-7.
          doi: 10.1111/iep.12029pubmed: 23837792google scholar: lookup
        18. Busso C, Parisi S, Andrighetti M, Ditto MC, Massazza G, Fusaro E, Minetto MA. Ultrasound tissue characterization and function of Achilles tendon in psoriatic arthritis patients: a cross-sectional study. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2025 Feb;61(1):109-118.
          doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.24.08581-2pubmed: 39869127google scholar: lookup
        19. Goldberg AJ, Masci L, O'Donnell P, Green R, Brooking D, Bassett P, Lowdell MW, Smith RKW. Autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells are safe for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. Sci Rep 2024 May 19;14(1):11421.
          doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-61399-3pubmed: 38763976google scholar: lookup
        20. Burk J, Wittenberg-Voges L, Schubert S, Horstmeier C, Brehm W, Geburek F. Treatment of Naturally Occurring Tendon Disease with Allogeneic Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: A Randomized, Controlled, Triple-Blinded Pilot Study in Horses. Cells 2023 Oct 24;12(21).
          doi: 10.3390/cells12212513pubmed: 37947591google scholar: lookup
        21. Pereira CS, Klauznicer J, Maree D, McAuliffe S, Farooq A, Whiteley R, Finni T. Quadriceps strength, patellar tendon quality, relative load exposure, and knee symptoms in male athletes before the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Front Rehabil Sci 2023;4:1283635.
          doi: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1283635pubmed: 37928751google scholar: lookup
        Subscribe to our newsletter
        Join 99,911 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.