Evaluation of standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of advanced distal interphalangeal primary degenerative joint disease in horses: 12 cases (2010-2014).
Abstract: OBJECTIVE To report history, findings from clinical examinations and diagnostic imaging, treatment, and outcomes associated with distal interphalangeal primary degenerative joint disease (DIP-PDJD) and to evaluate diagnostic usefulness and limitations of standing low-field MRI, relative to radiography and ultrasonography, for the diagnosis of DIP-PDJD in horses. DESIGN Retrospective case series with nested evaluation study. ANIMALS 12 client-owned horses. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed, and data were collected regarding signalment, history, results of physical and diagnostic imaging examinations, treatments, and outcomes of horses that underwent radiography, ultrasonography, and standing MRI for DIP-PDJD. Findings from radiography, ultrasonography, and MRI were recorded, and abnormal findings were graded. The diagnostic usefulness of MRI, relative to radiography and ultrasonography, in the diagnosis of DIP-PDJD in horses was evaluated. RESULTS A diagnosis of DIP-PDJD was established in 12 of 176 (6.8%) horses that underwent MRI examination of a foot for locomotor disorders. Radiography and ultrasonography enabled confirmation of DIP-PDJD in 3 of the 12 horses, and standing MRI enabled confirmation of DIP-PDJD in the remaining 9. Mean grade for thinning joint space and cartilage were significantly greater when determined with MRI, compared with radiography. Mean grade for osteophytes and periarticular bone remodeling were significantly greater when determined with radiography and ultrasonography, compared with MRI. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that DIP-PDJD can be challenging to detect with routine imaging, especially when synovial effusion and periarticular new bone formation are absent. Standing low-field MRI represents a potentially useful diagnostic tool to diagnose advanced DIP-PDJD in horses.
Publication Date: 2019-01-04 PubMed ID: 30605384DOI: 10.2460/javma.254.2.257Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Case Reports
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Treatment
- Distal Interphalangeal Joint
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Musculoskeletal System
- Radiology
- Retrospective Study
- Ultrasound
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research investigates the use of standing low-field MRI for diagnosing advanced distal interphalangeal primary degenerative joint disease (DIP-PDJD) in horses, comparing it with radiography and ultrasonography. The study found that low-field MRI could be a potentially useful tool for this purpose.
Study Design and Animals Involved
- The research is designed as a retrospective case series with a nested evaluation study.
- It involves 12 cases of client-owned horses.
Collection of Data and Procedures
- Medical records were reviewed, with data collected regarding the horse’s history, results of physical examinations and diagnostic imaging examinations, treatments, and outcomes for horses that underwent radiography, ultrasonography, and standing MRI for DIP-PDJD.
- The findings from radiography, ultrasonography, and MRI were recorded, and any abnormal findings were graded.
- The researchers then evaluated the diagnostic usefulness of MRI, in comparison to radiography and ultrasonography, for diagnosing DIP-PDJD in horses.
Results of the Study
- Out of 176 horses that underwent an MRI examination of a foot for locomotor disorders, 12 were diagnosed with DIP-PDJD, equating to a prevalence of 6.8%.
- Three out of these 12 diagnoses were confirmed through radiography and ultrasonography, while standing MRI confirmed the remaining 9 cases.
- The severity of joint space and cartilage thinning was significantly higher when determined through MRI compared with radiography.
- Radiography and ultrasonography, on the other hand, revealed significantly pronounced osteophytes and periarticular bone remodeling compared with MRI.
Conclusions
- The study concludes that DIP-PDJD can be hard to detect with routine imaging methods, especially in the absence of synovial effusion and new bone formation around the joint.
- However, standing low-field MRI has shown potential as an effective diagnostic tool for diagnosing advanced DIP-PDJD in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Rovel T, Audigié F, Coudry V, Jacquet-Guibon S, Bertoni L, Denoix JM.
(2019).
Evaluation of standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of advanced distal interphalangeal primary degenerative joint disease in horses: 12 cases (2010-2014).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 254(2), 257-265.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.254.2.257 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Foot Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Forelimb / pathology
- Hoof and Claw / pathology
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Osteoarthritis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteoarthritis / pathology
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- De Zani D, Rabbogliatti V, Rabba S, Auletta L, Longo M, Zani DD. Subchondral and Osteochondral Unit Bone Damage in the Fetlock Region of Sport Horses Using Low-Field MRI: Case Series. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 2;15(23).
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