High-field (3 Tesla) MRI of the navicular apparatus of sound horses shows good agreement to histopathology.
Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging and the correlation to histopathological findings of the equine palmar foot of lame horses have been described previously, using 0.27 and 1.5 T systems. Compared to these, 3 T systems provide superior spatial resolution and imaging contrast. The aim of our prospective anatomic study was to characterize the imaging anatomy of the navicular region on 3 T MRI in comparison to histopathological findings. We hypothesized that 3 T MRI allows a good visualization of the entire navicular apparatus and reliable measurements of navicular cartilage and cortical bone thickness. Twenty front feet of sound horses were examined using a 3 T MRI system. For histopathological examination, sagittal tissue sections of the navicular bones and adjacent ligaments were prepared. Alterations in magnetic resonance signal were graded for each region and compared to corresponding histological slices. Overall, there was good visualization of the anatomical detail and a very good agreement between MRI and histology for compact bone and spongiosa, good agreement for the fibrocartilage and the distal sesamoidean impar ligament, but only moderate agreement for the hyaline cartilage and the collateral sesamoidean ligament. A comparative measurement of cartilage and cortical bone thickness on magnetic resonance images and histological sections was performed. In MRI, the hyaline cartilage of the articular surface appeared significantly thinner and the fibrocartilage of the flexor surface appeared significantly thicker compared to histology. Findings indicated that MRI at a field strength of 3 T allows reliable depiction of anatomic details of the navicular apparatus.
© 2019 The Authors. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Publication Date: 2019-12-11 PubMed ID: 31825150DOI: 10.1111/vru.12825Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigates the accuracy and improved detail of 3 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify foot conditions in horses, particularly the navicular region, as compared to histopathology. The research found that, aside from a moderate agreement with hyaline cartilage and the collateral sesamoidean ligament, the 3T MRI provided reliable measurements and good visualisation of the navicular apparatus.
Study Overview
- The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 3 T MRI system in visualizing the navicular region of a horse’s foot as compared to the findings from histopathology.
- The researchers hypothesized that the 3 T MRI would provide good visualization and accurate measurements of navicular cartilage and cortical bone thickness.
- 20 horses’ front feet were examined using a 3 T MRI system, and the results were compared to histological findings from the same region.
Procedure and Findings
- Magnetic resonance signals were graded for each region and compared to the corresponding histological slices.
- Overall, the study found good visualization of the anatomical detail and a very good agreement between MRI and histology for compact bone and spongiosa.
- There was good agreement for the fibrocartilage and the distal sesamoidean impar ligament. However, the agreement was only moderate for the hyaline cartilage and the collateral sesamoidean ligament.
- Measurements of cartilage and cortical bone thickness on the MRI images and histological sections were compared.
- In the MRI images, the hyaline cartilage of the articular surface appeared significantly thinner and the fibrocartilage of the flexor surface appeared significantly thicker compared to histology.
Conclusion
- The findings support the initial hypothesis as they indicate that an MRI at a field strength of 3 T allows a reliable depiction of anatomic details of the navicular apparatus.
- The use of a 3 T system offers superior spatial resolution and imaging contrast compared to MRI systems with lower Tesla ratings, thus proving to be a valuable tool for the examination and diagnosis of foot conditions in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Kottmeier LK, Seehusen F, Helweg M, Rohn K, Stadler P, Hellige M.
(2019).
High-field (3 Tesla) MRI of the navicular apparatus of sound horses shows good agreement to histopathology.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 61(1), 48-57.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12825 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology, and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cortical Bone / diagnostic imaging
- Fibrocartilage / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Hyaline Cartilage / diagnostic imaging
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Prospective Studies
- Tarsal Bones / anatomy & histology
- Tarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging
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