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Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2022; 63(2); 164-175; doi: 10.1111/vru.13044

CT is a feasible imaging technique for detecting lesions in horses with elbow lameness: A study of 139 elbows in 99 horses.

Abstract: Computed tomography (CT)is increasingly available in veterinary referral practices; however, published studies describing CT lesions of the equine elbow are currently lacking. In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, horses undergoing elbow CT at Equitom between July 2015 and October 2018 were reviewed. Subchondral bone sclerosis; resorption of the radius, ulna, and humerus; osteophyte; and enthesophyte lesions were graded. One hundred thirty-nine elbows of 99 horses (16 with elbow pain and 123 control elbows) were included (median age, 9 years). Osseous cyst-like lesions (n = 13), only seen in the proximomedial radius and medial humerus, were the most common cause of lameness in horses with elbow pain (n = 16), with significantly higher grades of bone resorption (including osseous cyst-like lesions) in this group. One elbow had an avulsion fracture of the lateral epicondyle, two others showed signs of osteoarthritis. Significantly higher grades of sclerosis in the proximomedial radius were seen in horses with elbow pain; however, mild to moderate subchondral bone sclerosis was seen in all horses at the medial aspect of the joint. Osteochondral fragmentation lesions of the weight-bearing surface of the medial radius (2/16 vs 1/123; P = .0025) and intra-articular gas (4/16 vs 2/123; P < .0001) were significantly more common in horses with elbow pain compared to control horses. Mild linear resorptive subchondral bone lesions were often not clinically relevant (32/123 vs 5/16 in medial humerus; 19/123 vs 2/16 in medial radius). In conclusion, elbow CT is a feasible method for detecting clinically relevant lesions in adult Warmblood horses with elbow pain.
© 2022 American College of Veterinary Radiology.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-10 PubMed ID: 35007365DOI: 10.1111/vru.13044Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Observational Study
  • Observational Study
  • Veterinary

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.

This research sought to demonstrate that computed tomography (CT), an imaging technology, could be used efficiently to pinpoint lesions causing elbow lameness in horses. The study involved a retrospective analysis of 139 horse elbows and used CT scanning to aid in its investigations.

Study Methodology

  • The study engaged in a rearward-looking analysis of horses who were subjected to elbow computed tomography at Equitom from July 2015 to October 2018.
  • The researchers were primarily interested in the observation and grading of specific lesions. These lesions included osteophyte, enthesophyte, subchondral bone sclerosis, and resorption of the radius, ulna, and humerus.
  • The study analyzed a total of 139 elbow cases from 99 horses. 16 of these horses were experiencing elbow pain, while the remaining were control horses. The horses had a median age of 9 years.

Findings of the Study

  • The research found that osseous cyst-like lesions were the major reason behind lameness in horses experiencing elbow pain. These lesions were only observed in the proximomedial radius and medial humerus.
  • The horses with elbow pain had a significantly higher grade of bone resorption, inclusive of osseous cyst-like lesions. Furthermore, these horses showed significantly higher grades of sclerosis in the proximomedial radius.
  • Despite being common in the horses with elbow pain, mild to moderate subchondral bone sclerosis was also prevalent in horses at the medial aspect of the joint.
  • In horses with elbow pain, conditions such as osteochondral fragmentation lesions of the weight-bearing surface of the medial radius and intra-articular gas were significantly more prevalent compared to the control horses. Mild linear resorptive subchondral bone lesions were often not clinically relevant.
  • Other conditions detected were an avulsion fracture of the lateral epicondyle in one elbow, and signs of osteoarthritis in two others.

Conclusion of the Study

  • Based on these observations, the researchers concluded that elbow CT can be employed as a viable method for identifying clinically significant lesions in adult Warmblood horses suffering from elbow pain.

Cite This Article

APA
Zimmerman M, Schramme M, Barthélemy A, Mariën T, Thomas-Cancian A, Ségard-Weisse E. (2022). CT is a feasible imaging technique for detecting lesions in horses with elbow lameness: A study of 139 elbows in 99 horses. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 63(2), 164-175. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13044

Publication

Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
ISSN: 1740-8261
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 63
Issue: 2
Pages: 164-175

Researcher Affiliations

Zimmerman, Marieke
  • Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Science, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
Schramme, Michael
  • Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Science, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
Barthélemy, Anthony
  • Intensive Care Unit (SIAMU), VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, APCSe, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
Mariën, Tom
  • Equitom Equine Clinic, Lummen, Belgium.
Thomas-Cancian, Aurélie
  • Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Science, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
Ségard-Weisse, Emilie
  • Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Science, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Etoile, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Elbow
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
  • Radius
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
  • Ulna

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This article includes 26 references
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