FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Diagnostic Performance of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(14); doi: 10.3390/ani13142304

Diagnostic Performance of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography Arthrography and 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Diagnose Experimentally Created Articular Cartilage Lesions in Equine Cadaver Stifles.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine the diagnostic performance of computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) and 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting artificial cartilage lesions in equine femorotibial and femoropatellar joints. Methods: A total of 79 cartilage defects were created arthroscopically in 15 cadaver stifles from adult horses in eight different locations. In addition, 68 sites served as negative controls. MRI and CTA (80-160 mL iodinated contrast media at 87.5 mg/mL per joint) studies were obtained and evaluated by a radiologist unaware of the lesion distribution. The stifles were macroscopically evaluated, and lesion surface area, depth, and volume were determined. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI and CTA were calculated and compared between modalities. Results: The sensitivity values of CTA (53%) and MRI (66%) were not significantly different (p = 0.09). However, the specificity of CTA (66%) was significantly greater compared to MRI (52%) (p = 0.04). The mean lesion surface area was 11 mm2 (range: 2-54 mm2). Greater lesion surface area resulted in greater odds of lesion detection with CTA but not with MRI. Conclusions: CTA achieved a similar diagnostic performance compared to high-field MRI in detecting small experimental cartilage lesions. Despite this, CTA showed a higher specificity than MRI, thus making CTA more accurate in diagnosing normal cartilage. Small lesion size was a discriminating factor for lesion detection. In a clinical setting, CTA may be preferred over MRI due to higher availability and easier image acquisition.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-07-14 PubMed ID: 37508081PubMed Central: PMC10376593DOI: 10.3390/ani13142304Google 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 research article is about the comparison of Computed Tomographic Arthrography (CTA) and 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in detecting artificial cartilage lesions in horses. The study found that CTA had similar diagnostic performance to MRI, but with a higher specificity, meaning it is more accurate in diagnosing normal cartilage.

Methodology

  • The study was carried out on 15 cadaver stifles from adult horses, with 79 artificial cartilage defects created by arthroscopy in eight different locations.
  • An additional 68 sites were used as negative controls – sites without any artificially created lesions.
  • Both CTA and MRI scans were then obtained for each stifle. For CTA, 80-160 mL of iodinated contrast media at a concentration of 87.5 mg/mL per joint were used.
  • A radiologist, who was not aware of the distribution of the lesions, evaluated the obtained scans.
  • Finally, the stifles were evaluated macroscopically, and the surface area, depth, and volume of each lesion were determined.

Results

  • The sensitivity values of CTA (53%) and MRI (66%) were not significantly different (p = 0.09), meaning both procedures were similar in their ability to correctly identify lesions.
  • The specificity of CTA (66%) was significantly higher than MRI (52%) (p = 0.04), meaning CTA was better at correctly identifying normal cartilage.
  • Lesions with a greater surface area were more likely to be detected by CTA, but not MRI.
  • The average size of the lesions created was 11 mm2, ranging from 2-54 mm2.

Conclusions

  • Overall, CTA achieved a similar diagnostic performance as high-field MRI in detecting small experimental cartilage lesions.
  • However, CTA displayed a higher specificity than MRI, making it more accurate in diagnosing normal cartilage.
  • The size of the lesion was a discriminating factor for detection, with smaller lesions being harder to detect.
  • The authors suggest that in a clinical setting, CTA may be preferred over MRI due to its higher availability, easier image acquisition, and higher specificity.

Cite This Article

APA
Bolz NM, Sánchez-Andrade JS, Torgerson PR, Bischofberger AS. (2023). Diagnostic Performance of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography Arthrography and 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Diagnose Experimentally Created Articular Cartilage Lesions in Equine Cadaver Stifles. Animals (Basel), 13(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13142304

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 14

Researcher Affiliations

Bolz, Nico M
  • Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Sánchez-Andrade, José Suárez
  • Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Torgerson, Paul R
  • Section of Veterinary Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Bischofberger, Andrea S
  • Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

Grant Funding

  • pending / University of Zurich

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 47 references
  1. Madry H, Kon E, Condello V, Peretti GM, Steinwachs M, Seil R, Berruto M, Engebretsen L, Filardo G, Angele P. Early osteoarthritis of the knee.. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2016 Jun;24(6):1753-62.
    doi: 10.1007/s00167-016-4068-3pubmed: 27000393google scholar: lookup
  2. McIlwraith CW, Fortier LA, Frisbie DD, Nixon AJ. Equine Models of Articular Cartilage Repair.. Cartilage 2011 Oct;2(4):317-26.
    doi: 10.1177/1947603511406531pmc: PMC4297134pubmed: 26069590google scholar: lookup
  3. Cohen JM, Richardson DW, McKnight AL, Ross MW, Boston RC. Long-term outcome in 44 horses with stifle lameness after arthroscopic exploration and debridement.. Vet Surg 2009 Jun;38(4):543-51.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2009.00524.xpubmed: 19538678google scholar: lookup
  4. Schneider RK, Jenson P, Moore RM. Evaluation of cartilage lesions on the medial femoral condyle as a cause of lameness in horses: 11 cases (1988-1994).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997 Jun 1;210(11):1649-52.
    pubmed: 9170097
  5. McIlwraith CW, Nixon AJ, Wright IM. Diagnostic and Surgical Arthroscopy of the Femoropatellar and Femorotibial Joints. 2015;pp. 175–242.
  6. Croxford AK, Parker RA, Burford JH, Lloyd D, Boswell JC, Hughes TK, Phillips TJ. Chondromalacia of the cranial medial femoral condyle; its occurrence and association with clinical outcome in a population of adult horses with stifle lameness.. Equine Vet J 2020 May;52(3):379-383.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13205pubmed: 31710379google scholar: lookup
  7. Radtke A, Fortier LA, Regan S, Kraus S, Delco ML. Intra-articular anaesthesia of the equine stifle improves foot lameness.. Equine Vet J 2020 Mar;52(2):314-319.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13135pmc: PMC6851447pubmed: 31087355google scholar: lookup
  8. Adrian AM, Barrett MF, Werpy NM, Kawcak CE, Chapman PL, Goodrich LR. A comparison of arthroscopy to ultrasonography for identification of pathology of the equine stifle.. Equine Vet J 2017 May;49(3):314-321.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12541pubmed: 26582764google scholar: lookup
  9. De Lasalle J, Alexander K, Olive J, Laverty S. COMPARISONS AMONG RADIOGRAPHY, ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FOR EX VIVO CHARACTERIZATION OF STIFLE OSTEOARTHRITIS IN THE HORSE.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2016 Sep;57(5):489-501.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12370pubmed: 27237699google scholar: lookup
  10. Hoey S, Stokes D, McAllister H, Puggioni A, Skelly C. A systematic review evaluating the use of ultrasound in the identification of osteochondrosis in horses.. Vet J 2022 Apr;282:105825.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105825pubmed: 35381440google scholar: lookup
  11. O'Neill HD, Bladon BM. An alternative arthroscopic approach to the caudal pouches of the equine lateral femorotibial joint.. Equine Vet J 2020 Nov;52(6):857-862.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13274pubmed: 32364629google scholar: lookup
  12. Desjardins MR, Hurtig MB. Diagnosis of equine stifle joint disorders: three cases.. Can Vet J 1991 Sep;32(9):543-50.
    pmc: PMC1481045pubmed: 17423858
  13. Muurlink T, Walmsley J, Young D, Whitton C. A cranial intercondylar arthroscopic approach to the caudal medial femorotibial joint of the horse.. Equine Vet J 2009 Jan;41(1):5-10.
    doi: 10.2746/042516408X347042pubmed: 19301575google scholar: lookup
  14. Nelson BB, Kawcak CE, Goodrich LR, Werpy NM, Valdés-Martínez A, McIlwraith CW. COMPARISON BETWEEN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ARTHROGRAPHY, RADIOGRAPHY, ULTRASONOGRAPHY, AND ARTHROSCOPY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF FEMOROTIBIAL JOINT DISEASE IN WESTERN PERFORMANCE HORSES.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2016 Jul;57(4):387-402.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12366pubmed: 27170533google scholar: lookup
  15. Bergman EHJ, Puchalski SM, van der Veen H, Wiemer P, Green EM. Computed tomography and computed tomography arthrography of the equine stifle: Technique and preliminary results in 16 clinical cases. AAEP Proc 2007;53:46–55.
  16. Vekens EV, Bergman EH, Vanderperren K, Raes EV, Puchalski SM, Bree HJ, Saunders JH. Computed tomographic anatomy of the equine stifle joint.. Am J Vet Res 2011 Apr;72(4):512-21.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.72.4.512pubmed: 21453153google scholar: lookup
  17. McQuillan S, Kearney C, Hoey S, Connolly S, Rowan C. A threshold volume of 10 ml is suggested for detecting articular cartilage defects in equine carpal joints using CT arthrography: Ex vivo pilot study.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2022 Jan;63(1):54-63.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.13028pubmed: 34672041google scholar: lookup
  18. Valdés-Martínez A. Computed tomographic arthrography of the equine stifle joint.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2012 Dec;28(3):583-98.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2012.09.002pubmed: 23177133google scholar: lookup
  19. Aßmann AD, Ohlerth S, Suárez Sánchez-Andráde J, Torgerson PR, Bischofberger AS. Ex vivo comparison of 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and multidetector computed tomography arthrography to identify artificial soft tissue lesions in equine stifles.. Vet Surg 2022 May;51(4):648-657.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.13798pmc: PMC9314790pubmed: 35289943google scholar: lookup
  20. Suarez Sanchez-Andrade J, Richter H, Kuhn K, Bischofberger AS, Kircher PR, Hoey S. Comparison between magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and arthrography to identify artificially induced cartilage defects of the equine carpal joints.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2018 May;59(3):312-325.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12598pubmed: 29455473google scholar: lookup
  21. Hontoir F, Nisolle JF, Meurisse H, Simon V, Tallier M, Vanderstricht R, Antoine N, Piret J, Clegg P, Vandeweerd JM. A comparison of 3-T magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography arthrography to identify structural cartilage defects of the fetlock joint in the horse.. Vet J 2014 Jan;199(1):115-22.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.10.021pubmed: 24321368google scholar: lookup
  22. Omoumi P, Berg BCV, Lecouvet FE. Value of CT arthrography in the assessment of cartilage pathology. 2011;pp. 37–48.
  23. Friemert B, Oberländer Y, Schwarz W, Häberle HJ, Bähren W, Gerngross H, Danz B. Diagnosis of chondral lesions of the knee joint: can MRI replace arthroscopy? A prospective study.. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2004 Jan;12(1):58-64.
    doi: 10.1007/s00167-003-0393-4pubmed: 12904842google scholar: lookup
  24. von Engelhardt LV, Schmitz A, Burian B, Pennekamp PH, Schild HH, Kraft CN, von Falkenhausen M. [3-Tesla MRI vs. arthroscopy for diagnostics of degenerative knee cartilage diseases: preliminary clinical results].. Orthopade 2008 Sep;37(9):914, 916-22.
    doi: 10.1007/s00132-008-1313-6pubmed: 18622595google scholar: lookup
  25. Daglish J, Frisbie DD, Selberg KT, Barrett MF. High field magnetic resonance imaging is comparable with gross anatomy for description of the normal appearance of soft tissues in the equine stifle.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2018 Nov;59(6):721-736.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12674pubmed: 30136364google scholar: lookup
  26. Santos MP, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, McKnight AL, Singh K. GROSS AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC CORRELATION OF LOW-FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS IN THE STIFLE OF ASYMPTOMATIC HORSES.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2015 Jul-Aug;56(4):407-16.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12233pubmed: 25545132google scholar: lookup
  27. Waselau M, McKnight A, Kasparek A. Magnetic resonance imaging of equine stifles: Technique and observations in 76 clinical cases. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020;32:85–91.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13248google scholar: lookup
  28. Watts AE, Nixon AJ. Comparison of arthroscopic approaches and accessible anatomic structures during arthroscopy of the caudal pouches of equine femorotibial joints.. Vet Surg 2006 Apr;35(3):219-26.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2006.00140.xpubmed: 16635000google scholar: lookup
  29. Moyer W., Schumacher J., Schumacher J. Equine Joint Injection and Regional Anesthesia. Academic Veterinary Solutions; Chadds Ford, PA, USA: 2011.
  30. Schumacher J, Schumacher J, Wilhite R. Comparison of four techniques of arthrocentesis of the lateral compartment of the femorotibial joint of the horse.. Equine Vet J 2012 Nov;44(6):664-7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00551.xpubmed: 22420291google scholar: lookup
  31. Herdrich MRA, Arrieta SE, Nelson BB, Frisbie DD, Moorman VJ. A technique of needle redirection at a single craniolateral site for injection of three compartments of the equine stifle joint.. Am J Vet Res 2017 Sep;78(9):1077-1084.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.78.9.1077pubmed: 28836846google scholar: lookup
  32. O'Brien T, Baker TA, Brounts SH, Sample SJ, Markel MD, Scollay MC, Marquis P, Muir P. Detection of articular pathology of the distal aspect of the third metacarpal bone in thoroughbred racehorses: comparison of radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.. Vet Surg 2011 Dec;40(8):942-51.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2011.00881.xpubmed: 22092025google scholar: lookup
  33. Bolen G, Haye D, Dondelinger R, Busoni V. Magnetic resonance signal changes during time in equine limbs refrigerated at 4 degrees C.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2010 Jan-Feb;51(1):19-24.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2009.01615.xpubmed: 20166388google scholar: lookup
  34. Johnston GCA, Ahern BJ, Woldeyohannes SM, Young AC. Does the Low-Field MRI Appearance of Intraosseous STIR Hyperintensity in Equine Cadaver Limbs Change when Subjected to a Freeze-Thaw Process?. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 11;11(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11020475pmc: PMC7916973pubmed: 33670209google scholar: lookup
  35. Kohl S, Meier S, Ahmad SS, Bonel H, Exadaktylos AK, Krismer A, Evangelopoulos DS. Accuracy of cartilage-specific 3-Tesla 3D-DESS magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of chondral lesions: comparison with knee arthroscopy.. J Orthop Surg Res 2015 Dec 29;10:191.
    doi: 10.1186/s13018-015-0326-1pmc: PMC4696275pubmed: 26714464google scholar: lookup
  36. Jones KJ, Sheppard WL, Arshi A, Hinckel BB, Sherman SL. Articular Cartilage Lesion Characteristic Reporting Is Highly Variable in Clinical Outcomes Studies of the Knee.. Cartilage 2019 Jul;10(3):299-304.
    doi: 10.1177/1947603518756464pmc: PMC6585291pubmed: 29405742google scholar: lookup
  37. De Filippo M, Bertellini A, Pogliacomi F, Sverzellati N, Corradi D, Garlaschi G, Zompatori M. Multidetector computed tomography arthrography of the knee: diagnostic accuracy and indications.. Eur J Radiol 2009 May;70(2):342-51.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2008.01.034pubmed: 18329214google scholar: lookup
  38. Lee GY, Kim S, Baek SH, Jang EC, Ha YC. Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography Arthrography in Diagnosing Acetabular Labral Tears and Chondral Lesions.. Clin Orthop Surg 2019 Mar;11(1):21-27.
    doi: 10.4055/cios.2019.11.1.21pmc: PMC6389537pubmed: 30838104google scholar: lookup
  39. Smith TO, Drew BT, Toms AP, Donell ST, Hing CB. Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance arthrography and computed tomography for the detection of chondral lesions of the knee.. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2012 Dec;20(12):2367-79.
    doi: 10.1007/s00167-012-1905-xpubmed: 22270676google scholar: lookup
  40. Slattery C, Kweon CY. Classifications in Brief: Outerbridge Classification of Chondral Lesions.. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2018 Oct;476(10):2101-2104.
    doi: 10.1007/s11999.0000000000000255pmc: PMC6259817pubmed: 29533246google scholar: lookup
  41. Convery FR, Akeson WH, Keown GH. The repair of large osteochondral defects. An experimental study in horses.. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1972 Jan-Feb;82:253-62.
    doi: 10.1097/00003086-197201000-00033pubmed: 5011034google scholar: lookup
  42. Salonius E, Rieppo L, Nissi MJ, Pulkkinen HJ, Brommer H, Brünott A, Silvast TS, Van Weeren PR, Muhonen V, Brama PAJ, Kiviranta I. Critical-sized cartilage defects in the equine carpus.. Connect Tissue Res 2019 Mar;60(2):95-106.
    doi: 10.1080/03008207.2018.1455670pubmed: 29560747google scholar: lookup
  43. Nelson BB, Mäkelä JTA, Lawson TB, Patwa AN, Barrett MF, McIlwraith CW, Hurtig MB, Snyder BD, Moorman VJ, Grinstaff MW, Goodrich LR, Kawcak CE. Evaluation of equine articular cartilage degeneration after mechanical impact injury using cationic contrast-enhanced computed tomography.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2019 Aug;27(8):1219-1228.
    doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2019.04.015pubmed: 31075424google scholar: lookup
  44. Chellini D, Kinman K. Dual-Energy CT Principles and Applications.. Radiol Technol 2020 Jul;91(6):561CT-576CT.
    pubmed: 32606242
  45. Goo HW, Goo JM. Dual-Energy CT: New Horizon in Medical Imaging.. Korean J Radiol 2017 Jul-Aug;18(4):555-569.
    doi: 10.3348/kjr.2017.18.4.555pmc: PMC5447632pubmed: 28670151google scholar: lookup
  46. Kajabi AW, Casula V, Sarin JK, Ketola JH, Nykänen O, Te Moller NCR, Mancini IAD, Visser J, Brommer H, René van Weeren P, Malda J, Töyräs J, Nieminen MT, Nissi MJ. Evaluation of articular cartilage with quantitative MRI in an equine model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.. J Orthop Res 2021 Jan;39(1):63-73.
    doi: 10.1002/jor.24780pmc: PMC7818146pubmed: 32543748google scholar: lookup
  47. Ciliberti FK, Guerrini L, Gunnarsson AE, Recenti M, Jacob D, Cangiano V, Tesfahunegn YA, Islind AS, Tortorella F, Tsirilaki M, Jónsson H Jr, Gargiulo P, Aubonnet R. CT- and MRI-Based 3D Reconstruction of Knee Joint to Assess Cartilage and Bone.. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022 Jan 22;12(2).
    doi: 10.3390/diagnostics12020279pmc: PMC8870751pubmed: 35204370google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.