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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Gross, computed tomographic, and endoscopic anatomy of the e...
Veterinary surgery : VS2021; 51(1); 202-213; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13743

Gross, computed tomographic, and endoscopic anatomy of the equine carpal extensor tendon sheaths.

Abstract: (1) To describe the computed tomography (CT) and gross anatomy of the equine extensor carpi radialis sheath (ECRS) and common digital extensor sheath (CDETS); (2) to describe a single-portal endoscopic examination of the ECRS and CDETS. Methods: Ex vivo experimental. Methods: Thirty clinically normal cadaver thoracic equine limbs severed at the humeral diaphysis. Methods: Ten limbs underwent plain and intrathecal contrast CT examinations and gross dissection of the ECRS and CDETS. Single-portal endoscopic examination of ECRS and CDETS was attempted in 4 limbs and endoscopic examination was performed on 16 limbs. Endoscopic video recordings were reviewed by 3 observers for quality of visualization before dissection and examination for iatrogenic damage. Interobserver agreement for ECRS and CDETS visualization was determined with Fleiss' κ agreement. Results: Extensor carpi radialis sheath and CDETS anatomy was consistent between gross dissection and CT examinations. The ECRS endoscopic portal was medial at the level of the intersection between the extensor carpi obliquus and extensor carpi radialis tendon. The CDETS endoscopic portal was lateral, 5 cm proximal to the lateral styloid process of the ulna. The ECRS and CDETS were well visualized and interobserver agreement was substantial (κ = .73; P < .0001) and moderate (κ = .53; P < .0001), respectively. Conclusions: Computed tomography examinations provided useful anatomical information, consistent with gross dissection of the ECRS and CDETS. The described single-portal endoscopic techniques allowed consistent tenoscopic examination of the majority of the ECRS and CDETS. Conclusions: Awareness of the intrathecal anatomy of the ECRS and CDETS should facilitate the treatment of these tendon sheaths. The proposed portals provide good to excellent single-site endoscopic visualization of the majority of the ECRS and CDETS.
© 2021 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-01 PubMed ID: 34724242DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13743Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 article presents research on the anatomy of the equine carpal extensor tendon sheaths, focusing on the visualisation through computed tomography (CT) scans, endoscopies and dissections. The findings support the use of CT scans in revealing anatomical details of the sheaths and proposed precise locations for single-portal endoscopic examination.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved an in-depth study of the anatomy of the equine extensor carpi radialis sheath (ECRS) and common digital extensor sheath (CDETS).
  • Thirty normal cadaver equine limbs severed at the humeral diaphysis were used for the experiment.
  • Ten of these limbs underwent both plain and intrathecal contrast CT examinations, followed by a gross dissection of the ECRS and CDETS.
  • A single-portal endoscopic examination of the ECRS and CDETS was attempted on 4 limbs, with a full endoscopic examination performed on 16 limbs.
  • The quality of the endoscopic video recordings was reviewed by three different observers. This helped assess the preciseness of visualization and any incidental (iatrogenic) damage caused during the process.

Research Findings

  • Results revealed that the anatomy of extensor carpi radialis sheath (ECRS) and common digital extensor sheath (CDETS) was consistent across both gross dissection and CT examinations.
  • The endoscopic portal for the ECRS was found to be medial at the intersection between the extensor carpi obliquus and extensor carpi radialis tendon. On the other hand, the endoscopic portal for the CDETS was lateral, 5 cm proximal to the lateral styloid process of the ulna.
  • The findings displayed considerable interobserver agreement on the visualization of the ECRS and CDETS, proving the effectiveness of the examination methods.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that CT examinations provided detailed anatomical information, matching the findings of the gross dissections.
  • Single-portal endoscopic techniques were found to be effective in examining the majority of the ECRS and CDETS.
  • The research further affirmed that understanding the intrathecal anatomy of the ECRS and CDETS could aid in their treatment.
  • The portals proposed by the study were found to provide good to excellent endoscopic visualization of most of the ECRS and CDETS.

Cite This Article

APA
Baldwin CM, Morgan RE, Crawford AL, Villarino NF, Rubio-Martínez LM. (2021). Gross, computed tomographic, and endoscopic anatomy of the equine carpal extensor tendon sheaths. Vet Surg, 51(1), 202-213. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13743

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 1
Pages: 202-213

Researcher Affiliations

Baldwin, Christopher M
  • Sussex Equine Hospital, Billingshurst Road, Ashington, RH20 3BB, West Sussex.
Morgan, Rhiannon E
  • Equine Referral Hospital, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire.
Crawford, Andrew L
  • Sussex Equine Hospital, Billingshurst Road, Ashington, RH20 3BB, West Sussex.
Villarino, Nicolas F
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, USA.
Rubio-Martínez, Luis M
  • Sussex Equine Hospital, Billingshurst Road, Ashington, RH20 3BB, West Sussex.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cadaver
  • Endoscopy / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Tendons / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
  • Ulna

References

This article includes 13 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Kerbert MP, Delling U, Verhaar N. Gross anatomy, computed tomographic contrast tenography, and needle endoscopy of the equine medial digital flexor tendon sheath. Vet Surg 2025 Aug;54(6):1133-1144.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.14263pubmed: 40223504google scholar: lookup
  2. Woods TDC, Dixon J, Fraser BSL, Melvaine C. Computed Tomographic Tenography of the Equine Carpal Flexor Tendon Sheath. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2025 Mar;66(2):e70019.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.70019pubmed: 40059445google scholar: lookup
  3. Breen LJ, Stack JD, Gillen AM, Baldwin CM. Needle tenoscopy of the digital flexor tendon sheath in a standing equine cadaver model using a novel approach and guided palmar/plantar annular ligament desmotomy. Vet Surg 2025 Apr;54(3):524-533.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.14213pubmed: 39911071google scholar: lookup
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