Cross-sectional anatomy and comparative ultrasonography of the equine medial femorotibial joint and its related structures.
Abstract: Injuries of the equine stifle are frequent causes of hindlimb lameness. Ultrasonography is useful for the diagnosis of many soft tissue lesions but, until recently, its application to the equine stifle has been limited to a description of normal and abnormal structures. A comparative study using gross anatomical sections to identify all structures visible on ultrasonographic images of the equine stifle has not previously been reported. Objective: To provide a comprehensive comparative cross-sectional atlas of the normal equine medial femorotibial (MFT) joint and its related structures using ultrasonography. Methods: The stifle joints of 15 cadaver limbs were examined ultrasonographically using a systematic approach. Ten different scanning planes were defined. The lateral and medial femorotibial and the femoropatellar joints were injected with pigments of different colours. Each leg was frozen (10 in extension and 5 in flexion) and cut into slices corresponding to the different scanning planes. According to the different ultrasonographic reference images, 10 representative anatomical images were selected and digitised. Results: All bony and soft tissue structures were identified on the anatomical sections and subsequently located on the corresponding ultrasonographic images, except the caudal meniscotibial ligaments. Visualisation of the cruciate ligaments was a challenge due to their position and oblique orientation. Conclusions: Ultrasonography is a very useful technique for imaging both soft tissue and bony structures of the MFT joint and its related structures, although a protocol is required to perform a systematic and standardised ultrasonographic examination. Good anatomical knowledge is mandatory for identification of the different structures. Conclusions: This study should contribute to 1) knowledge of the ultrasonographic anatomy of the equine MFT joint and its related structures, 2) use of a protocol for a standardised ultrasonographic examination and 3) the ability to recognise abnormal structures.
Publication Date: 2005-11-22 PubMed ID: 16295929DOI: 10.2746/042516405775314817Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article explores the use of ultrasound technology for detecting injuries in horse’s stifle joint. The study presents a comprehensive cross-sectional analysis of the equine medial femorotibial joint and associated structures.
Objective
The objective of this study was to create a comprehensive cross-sectional atlas that can be used to identify the normal equine medial femorotibial (MFT) joint and its associated structures using ultrasonography. There wasn’t any such detailed comparative study done in the past which identifies all the structures visible on the ultrasound images of the equine stifle.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted the study using 15 cadaver limbs—10 in extension and 5 in flexion.
- The stifle joints of these specimens were examined ultrasonographically using ten different scanning planes.
- Various joints of these specimens were injected with pigments of different colours to distinguish between them.
- The limbs were frozen and cut into slices corresponding to the scanning planes used in ultrasonography.
- Out of these numerous anatomical images, ten representative anatomical images were selected and digitised.
Results
- All bony and soft tissue structures were identified on the anatomical sections and were located on the ultrasonographic images.
- One exception to this was the caudal meniscotibial ligaments which were not visible.
- Visualising the cruciate ligaments was challenging due to their position and oblique orientation.
Conclusion
- Ultrasonography has been determined to be a very useful technique for imaging both soft tissue and bony structures of the MFT joint and its related structures.
- The researchers emphasised that a systematic and standardised protocol is needed to perform an effective ultrasonic examination, and proper anatomical knowledge is necessary for identifying the different structures.
- This research is instrumental in enhancing the ultrasonographic understanding of the equine medial femorotibial joint and will inform the development of a standardised ultrasonographic examination protocol.
- It will also improve the ability of veterinarians to recognise abnormal structures and diagnose conditions related to the equine stifle.
Cite This Article
APA
Hoegaerts M, Nicaise M, Van Bree H, Saunders JH.
(2005).
Cross-sectional anatomy and comparative ultrasonography of the equine medial femorotibial joint and its related structures.
Equine Vet J, 37(6), 520-529.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516405775314817 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cadaver
- Female
- Femur / anatomy & histology
- Femur / diagnostic imaging
- Hindlimb
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Joints / anatomy & histology
- Joints / diagnostic imaging
- Male
- Stifle / anatomy & histology
- Stifle / diagnostic imaging
- Tibia / anatomy & histology
- Tibia / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Møller-Jensen M, Blomquist MH, Mortensen CL, Olsson IKC, Cuevas-Ramos G. Development of an Ultrasound Technique to Evaluate the Popliteal Complex in the Horse. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 22;12(7).
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