Histopathological findings of apical fracture of the proximal sesamoid bones in young Thoroughbred foals.
Abstract: Although radiographic findings at the apical portion of the proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) are often observed in young Thoroughbred foals, conflicting findings, either fractures or apparent secondary ossifications centers, have been reported. Three cases (aged 2, 5, and 7 weeks) were identified in 30 necropsied foals (0-31 weeks old). Histopathologically, the subchondral trabecular woven bone was fractured and exhibited focal necrosis of woven bone, fibrin exudate, and/or fibrosis within the foci. In the 7-week-old case, proliferations of chondrocytes were also observed. These findings suggest that the radiographic findings represented a healing process of the apical PSB fractures associated with the mechanically damaged subchondral trabeculae. Developmental PSB injuries should be taken into consideration during the management of young Thoroughbred foals.
Publication Date: 2017-09-20 PubMed ID: 28955165PubMed Central: PMC5608966DOI: 10.1294/jes.28.123Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research studied the cause of certain radiographic findings in the bones of young Thoroughbred foals. It concluded that these findings likely represented a healing process from fractures, rather than secondary ossifications centers, and should be taken into account in the foals’ management.
Objective of the Study
- The goal of the research was to study the true nature of radiographic anomalies observed at the apical part of the proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) in young Thoroughbred foals. The anomalies had previously been attributed to either fractures or secondary ossification centers. This study aimed to provide clarity through detailed histopathological examination.
Methodology
- The study involved the examination of 30 Thoroughbred foals aged up to 31 weeks, all of whom had died and been necropsied. Three cases with the specific radiographic findings were identified among these which were aged 2, 5, and 7 weeks respectively.
- These cases underwent histopathological examination – an examination of tissues to study the manifestations of disease – to observe the characteristics of the puzzling radiographic findings.
Findings
- The histopathological examination revealed that the subchondral trabecular woven bone in the apical part of the PSB was fractured. It exhibited focal necrosis (cell death), fibrin exudate (an accumulation of protein-rich fluid), and/or fibrosis (tissue scarring) within these fracture points. In the oldest case (7 weeks), proliferations of chondrocytes (cartilage cells) were observed as well.
- These findings suggested that the specific radiographic anomalies were not secondary ossification centers, but rather, were showing a healing process where the fractured bone’s response to mechanical damage was occurring.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that these radiographic findings in young Thoroughbred foals represent a healing process from fractures associated with mechanically damaged subchondral trabeculae in the PSB.
- These fractures, being developmental injuries, should therefore be taken into account in the management and treatment of young Thoroughbred foals to prevent future complications.
Cite This Article
APA
Sato F, Endo Y, Horiuchi N, Tominari M, Murase H, Ishimaru M, Korosue K.
(2017).
Histopathological findings of apical fracture of the proximal sesamoid bones in young Thoroughbred foals.
J Equine Sci, 28(3), 123-126.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.28.123 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Breeding Science, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
- Department of Equine Breeding Science, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Pathobiological Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Department of Equine Breeding Science, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Department of Equine Breeding Science, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Department of Equine Breeding Science, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Department of Equine Breeding Science, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
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