High-field magnetic resonance imaging investigation of distal border fragments of the navicular bone in horses with foot pain.

The research article explores the relationship between distal border fragments in a horse’s navicular bone and foot pain. The study used high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to understand the appearance of these fragments and associated abnormalities, aiming to provide insight into their clinical significance.

Objective of the Study

• The aim of the research was to depict the MRI appearance of distal border fragments of the navicular bone in horses along with the adjacent areas of the bone.
• The study sought to establish the relationship between these fragments and other abnormalities in the navicular bone and the distal sesamoidean impar ligament (DSIL).

Methodology

• Participants of the study were horses displaying forelimb lameness due to foot pain, high-field MR images of which were taken.
• Size and position of the distal border fragments were recorded.
• For grading purposes, any abnormalities found in the adjacent navicular bone areas were classified which resulted in a fragment grade. Total navicular bone grade was also assigned. Furthermore, DSIL was graded.
• The Chi-squared test was employed to find associations between the presence of fragment and specific lesions involving the distal border of the navicular bone, the total grade of the navicular bone, and DSIL’s grade.

Results

• 427 horses participated in the study, revealing 111 distal border fragments across them.
• The results showed significant associations between the fragments’ presence and the total navicular bone grade, osseous cyst-like lesions, and an increase in the number and size of synovial invaginations of the distal border. There was also a significant association between increased signal intensity in fat-suppressed images and the size of distal border entheseophytes.

Conclusions

• The research concluded that there’s an association between distal border fragments and other pathological MRI abnormalities of the navicular bone.
• The conclusion emphasized that distal border fragments constitute a part of the navicular disease. However, it remained unclarified how these fragments contribute to causing pain and lameness in the horses.