Deep digital flexor tendonitis in the equine foot diagnosed by low-field magnetic resonance imaging in the standing patient: 18 cases.

The study investigates the effectiveness of low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting injuries to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in horses, with the MRI scanning being performed while the horses are standing.

Objective of the research

• The purpose of this research was to assess and review the MRI findings of DDFT injuries in horses using low-field (0.21 T) MRI scanner while the horses were standing. The researchers compared these results with previously reported findings from high-field MRI methodologies.

Methodology

• The study involved 84 horses that had undiagnosed pain in their forefoot.
• The lameness duration varied from 1 to 12 months, with the severity ranging from minor to moderate (scoring between 1/10 and 6/10 on their scale).
• Out of these horses, 15 had symptoms in just one foot (9 in the right foot and 6 in the left foot), while 3 showed symptoms in both forelegs.
• Tools such as radiographs, diagnostic ultrasonography, and nuclear scintigraphy were used alongside MRI to study the injuries.
• MRI scans were used to detect DDFT lesions by utilising both T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI sequences, identifying four different types of lesions; core lesions, sagittal splits, dorsal border lesions, and insertional lesions. Often, multiple types of these lesions were present within the same horse.

Results and comparisons

• Of the 84 horses, 18 (21%) were identified to have lesions affecting the DDFT. Radiological changes of uncertain significance were detected in six of these 18 horses. However, changes involving the DDFT were detected through ultrasonography in only one out of nine cases.
• The types and locations of DDFT lesions were found to be consistent with previously reported results obtained from high-field MRI methods.

Significance and recommendations

• The use of low-field standing MRI provides the advantage of avoiding general anesthesia and access to conventional high-field MRI scanners, providing a more practical and feasible option.
• However, further comparison studies between low-field and high-field MRIs, as well as other imaging procedures, are required to fully determine the sensitivity and specificity of the standing low-field MRI technique in diagnosing DDFT lesions.