Efficacy of computerized discrimination between structure-related and non-structure-related echoes in ultrasonographic images for the quantitative evaluation of the structural integrity of superficial digital flexor tendons in horses.
Abstract: To evaluate effectiveness of computerized discrimination between structure-related and non-structure-related echoes in ultrasonographic images for quantitative evaluation of tendon structural integrity in horses. Methods: 4 superficial digital flexor tendons (2 damaged tendons, 2 normal tendons). Methods: Transverse ultrasonographic images that precisely matched histologic sections were obtained in fixed steps along the long axis of each tendon. Distribution, intensity, and delineation of structure-related echoes, quantitatively expressed as the correlation ratio and steadiness ratio , were compared with histologic findings in tissue that was normal or had necrosis, early granulation, late granulation, early fibrosis, or inferior repair. Results: In normal tendon, the even distribution of structure-related echoes with high intensity and sharp delineation yielded high correlation ratio and steadiness ratio. In areas of necrosis, collapsed endotendon septa yielded solid but blurred structure-related echoes (high correlation ration and low steadiness ratio). In early granulation tissue, complete lack of organization caused zero values for both ratios. In late granulation tissue, reorganization and swollen endotendon septa yielded poorly delineated structure-related echoes (high correlation ratio, low steadiness ratio). In early fibrosis, rearrangement of bundles resulted in normal correlation ration and slightly low steadiness ratio. In inferior repair, the almost complete lack of structural reorganization resulted in heterogeneous poorly delineated low-intensity echoes (low correlation ratio and steadiness ratio). Conclusions: The combination of correlation ratio and steadiness ratio accurately reflects histopathologic findings, making computerized correlation of ultrasonographic images an efficient tool for quantitative evaluation of tendon structural integrity.
Publication Date: 2001-07-17 PubMed ID: 11453496DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.1159Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study explores the efficiency of computerized distinction between structure-related and non-structure-related echoes in ultrasonographic images for quantitative assessment of the structural integrity of horse tendons. The researchers found that using a mix of correlation and steadiness ratios accurately reflected the pathology, suggesting this method as a proficient tool for quantitative evaluation.
Methodology
- Four superficial digital flexor tendons which consisted of two damaged tendons and two normal tendons were used for this study.
- Transverse ultrasonographic images were taken using consistent steps along the long axis of each tendon. Images were closely matched with histologic sections of the tendons as a reference.
- The researchers then analyzed aspects such as the distribution, intensity, and clear delineation of structure-related echoes. These aspects were quantitatively expressed as the correlation ratio and steadiness ratio.
- Both correlation ratios and steadiness ratios for normal tissue and tissues that demonstrated necrosis, early granulation, late granulation, early fibrosis, or inferior repair were compared with their corresponding histologic findings.
Results
- Normal tendon tissue displayed a uniform distribution of structure-related echoes with high intensity and sharp delineation. This yielded high correlation ratio and steadiness ratio.
- Different tissue states and alterations presented varying correlations and steadiness ratios. For example, areas of necrosis and early granulation tissue had high correlation ratios and low steadiness ratios due to their disorganized structure. Early fibrosis had a normal correlation ratio and slightly low steadiness ratio due to the rearrangement of bundles.
- Inferior repair showed heterogeneous poorly delineated low-intensity echoes, leading to low correlation ratios and steadiness ratios.
Conclusions
- The result of this study suggested that the combined use of the correlation ratio and steadiness ratio accurately mirrors histopathologic findings.
- The ability to make this distinction using computerized correlation of ultrasonographic images makes it an effective tool for the quantitative evaluation of tendon structural integrity.
Cite This Article
APA
van Schie HT, Bakker EM, Jonker AM, van Weeren PR.
(2001).
Efficacy of computerized discrimination between structure-related and non-structure-related echoes in ultrasonographic images for the quantitative evaluation of the structural integrity of superficial digital flexor tendons in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 62(7), 1159-1166.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.1159 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Raaphorst Equine Clinic, Wassenaar, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Forelimb / pathology
- Histocytochemistry / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Male
- Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
- Tendon Injuries / pathology
- Tendon Injuries / veterinary
- Tendons / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
- Videotape Recording
Citations
This article has been cited 10 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.
- Lawson A, Noorkoiv M, Masci L, Mohagheghi AA. Ankle Joint Position and the Reliability of Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of the Achilles Tendon: A Pilot Study. Med Sci Monit 2019 Sep 13;25:6884-6893.
- Washburn N, Onishi K, Wang JH. Ultrasound elastography and ultrasound tissue characterisation for tendon evaluation. J Orthop Translat 2018 Oct;15:9-20.
- Rudavsky A, Cook J, Magnusson SP, Kjaer M, Docking S. Characterising the proximal patellar tendon attachment and its relationship to skeletal maturity in adolescent ballet dancers. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J 2017 Apr-Jun;7(2):306-314.
- Geburek F, Roggel F, van Schie HTM, Beineke A, Estrada R, Weber K, Hellige M, Rohn K, Jagodzinski M, Welke B, Hurschler C, Conrad S, Skutella T, van de Lest C, van Weeren R, Stadler PM. Effect of single intralesional treatment of surgically induced equine superficial digital flexor tendon core lesions with adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: a controlled experimental trial. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017 Jun 5;8(1):129.
- 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.
- Masci L, Spang C, van Schie HT, Alfredson H. How to diagnose plantaris tendon involvement in midportion Achilles tendinopathy - clinical and imaging findings. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2016 Feb 24;17:97.
- Hatazoe T, Endo Y, Iwamoto Y, Korosue K, Kuroda T, Inoue S, Murata D, Hobo S, Misumi K. A study of the distribution of color Doppler flows in the superficial digital flexor tendon of young Thoroughbreds during their training periods. J Equine Sci 2015;26(4):99-104.
- Paantjens MA, Helmhout PH, Gerardus Backx FJ, Willibrord Martens MTA, van Dongen JPA, Petrus Bakker EW. Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability of Processing Ultrasound Tissue Characterization Scans in Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy. Transl Sports Med 2022;2022:9348298.
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