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.
Publication Date: 2003-03-29 PubMed ID: 12661879DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.366Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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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
Researcher Affiliations
- Leiden Institute for Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 1, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
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 17 times.- 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.
- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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- 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.
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