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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2021; 62(8); 867-871;

Fungal osteitis of the axial aspect of the mid body of the medial proximal sesamoid bone in a horse.

Abstract: The satisfactory outcome of fungal osteitis in an 8-year-old American Quarter Horse is described. The horse was admitted with a grade 4 out of 5 lameness and exhibited metacarpophalangeal synovial effusion, indicative of a mild suppurative inflammation. Results of initial radiographic and ultrasonographic examination were unremarkable. Intra-articular anesthesia of the metacarpophalangeal joint allowed localization of the insult. It was not until day 6 of hospitalization when lytic changes on the axial aspect were observed on radiographic examination. Arthroscopic examination permitted identification and debridement of the affected bone. Fungal culture of the bone yielded Pleosporales spp. The horse was sound at the time of discharge after 12 days of hospitalization. No complications occurred in the post-operative period and the horse resumed his initial level of activity and competition in barrel racing. Key clinical message: To our knowledge, this is the first description of successful outcome of a fungal osteitis of the sesamoid bones following arthroscopic debridement. We hypothesize that the satisfactory outcome is associated with early recognition of the condition and aggressive debridement of the lesion arthroscopically. Ostéite fongique de la face axiale du milieu du corps de l’os sésamoïde proximal médial chez un cheval. L’évolution satisfaisante de l’ostéite fongique chez un Quarter Horse américain de 8 ans est décrite. Le cheval a été admis avec une boiterie de grade 4 sur 5 et présentait un épanchement synovial métacarpo-phalangien, indicatif d’une légère inflammation suppurée. Les résultats de l’examen radiographique et échographique initial étaient sans particularité. L’anesthésie intra-articulaire de l’articulation métacarpo-phalangienne a permis de localiser le site affecté. Ce n’est qu’au jour 6 de l’hospitalisation que des modifications lytiques de la face axiale ont été observées à l’examen radiographique. L’examen arthroscopique a permis l’identification et le débridement de l’os affecté. La culture fongique de l’os a donné des Pleosporales spp. Le cheval était sain au moment de sa sortie après 12 jours d’hospitalisation. Aucune complication n’est survenue dans la période post-opératoire et le cheval a repris son niveau initial d’activité et de compétition en course de barils.Message clinique clé :A notre connaissance, il s’agit de la première description de l’issue positive d’une ostéite fongique des os sésamoïdes après débridement arthroscopique. Nous émettons l’hypothèse que le résultat satisfaisant est associé à une reconnaissance précoce de l’affection et à un débridement agressif de la lésion sous arthroscopie.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).
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Publication Date: 2021-08-04 PubMed ID: 34341602PubMed Central: PMC8281936
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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.

An 8-year-old American Quarter Horse with a severe lameness was successfully treated for a rare fungal infection of a specific bone in the leg. The horse returned to its normal level of activity after 12 days in the hospital, marking the first reported successful outcome of such a kind of treatment.

Details of the Case

  • The horse in question was an 8-year-old American Quarter Horse admitted to a hospital with a 4 out of 5 lameness rating. This lameness was associated with an effusion in the metacarpophalangeal synovial (relating to the joint involving the metacarpal and phalangeal bones), indicative of a mild inflammation with pus.
  • The initial radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations did not reveal any significant observations. However, delivering anesthesia into the metacarpophalangeal joint facilitated the identification of the specific area affected, revealing changes in the bone on the sixth day of hospitalization.

Treatment Structures

  • Using an arthroscope (a small camera instrument used to visualize, diagnose and treat joints), the clinicians were able to specifically identify and remove the affected bone’s material. This process is known as debridement.
  • A fungal culture test on the bone revealed presence of spp. The horse was declared sound (a term in veterinary medicine indicating good health) and was discharged after 12 days.

Outcome and Significance

  • There were no complications during the post-operative period and the horse was able to return to its original level of activity, including competition in barrel racing.
  • Key to this research is that this case represents the first reported successful outcome of a fungal osteitis (an inflammation of the bone caused by a fungal infection) in the sesamoid bones (small bones embedded in tendons) treated with arthroscopic debridement.
  • The researchers hypothesized that early recognition of the condition and aggressive arthroscopic debridement contributed to the successful outcome.

Cite This Article

APA
Merchán A, Voss JK, Dubois MS. (2021). Fungal osteitis of the axial aspect of the mid body of the medial proximal sesamoid bone in a horse. Can Vet J, 62(8), 867-871.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 62
Issue: 8
Pages: 867-871

Researcher Affiliations

Merchán, Alejandro
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Voss, Jana K
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Dubois, Marie-Soleil
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal
  • Osteitis / veterinary
  • Sesamoid Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Sesamoid Bones / surgery

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