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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Identification of Naturally Occurring Cartilage Damage in th...
Frontiers in veterinary science2020; 6; 508; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00508

Identification of Naturally Occurring Cartilage Damage in the Equine Distal Interphalangeal Joint Using Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Arthrography.

Abstract: To describe detectable and non-detectable naturally occurring cartilage damage of the equine distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint using plain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and gadolinium and saline MR arthrography. The second objective was to quantify the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in detection of cartilage damage. In a pilot study, the distal limbs of two horses with confirmed osteoarthritis of the DIP joint were imaged with low-field MR. Magnetic resonance images were assessed in consensus by three observers and compared to gross pathological findings. Subsequently, a prospective analytical cross-sectional study design was created to compare pre-contrast MR imaging and saline and gadolinium MR arthrography of isolated equine distal limbs to gross observation findings. Hallmarq® low-field MR (0.27T) scans were performed prior to DIP joint injection, saline/gadolinium post-injection scans were performed at 15 min intervals for 2 h. Joints were inspected and the articular cartilage graded subjectively for cartilage damage (0-3). The presence of detectable or non-detectable cartilage damage on MR images was identified, characterized and recorded in consensus by three observers. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in detection of cartilage damage related to gross pathology were calculated. The two clinical cases from the pilot study with confirmed osteoarthritis had full thickness cartilage defects; however, only one of these was correctly identified using low-field MRI. In the prospective study, the majority of naturally occurring cartilage damage could not be identified on plain MR or MR arthrography including extensive partial thickness cartilage erosions. Saline and gadolinium MR arthrography did not improve the detection of cartilage damage. The accuracy of cartilage damage detection was 0.63 with a sensitivity of 0.14 and specificity of 0.92. Both, plain low-field MRI and MR arthrography are not sensitive in detection of naturally occurring cartilage damage of the DIP joint. However, if an abnormal contour is seen in the articular cartilage, cartilage damage is likely to be present.
Copyright © 2020 van Zadelhoff, Schwarz, Smith, Engerand and Taylor.
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Publication Date: 2020-01-28 PubMed ID: 32064268PubMed Central: PMC6999043DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00508Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research looks into the effectiveness of using low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Arthrography in detecting naturally occurring cartilage damage in the equine distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. The study found that both methods are not very sensitive in detecting such damage, despite them being able to identify an abnormal contour in the articular cartilage, which could suggest the presence of damage.

Objectives and Methodology

  • The research has two primary goals: firstly, to explore the detectable and non-detectable naturally occurring cartilage damage of the equine distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint using plain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and gadolinium and saline MR arthrography. Secondly, to measure the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in the detection of cartilage damage.
  • The study involved a pilot and a prospective analytical cross-sectional study. The pilot dealt with the distal limbs of two horses with confirmed osteoarthritis of the DIP joint, which were imaged using low-field MR. Meanwhile, the prospective part of the study used pre-contrast MR imaging and saline and gadolinium MR arthrography of isolated equine distal limbs in comparison to gross observation findings.

Findings

  • The pilot study found that only one out of the two horses’ full-thickness cartilage defects was accurately identified with the use of low-field MRI.
  • The prospective study determined that majority of the naturally occurring cartilage damage couldn’t be identified specifically on plain MR or MR arthrography, including significant partial thickness cartilage erosions.
  • Surprisingly, the use of saline and gadolinium MR arthrography did not improve the detection of cartilage damage.
  • The accuracy of cartilage damage detection was found to be 0.63 with a sensitivity of 0.14 and specificity of 0.92.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that both plain lower-field MRI and MR arthrography aren’t conversant in the detection of naturally occurring cartilage damage of the DIP joint.
  • However, the study noted that if an abnormal contour is observed in the articular cartilage during the imaging, it’s likely a sign of the presence of cartilage damage.

Cite This Article

APA
van Zadelhoff C, Schwarz T, Smith S, Engerand A, Taylor S. (2020). Identification of Naturally Occurring Cartilage Damage in the Equine Distal Interphalangeal Joint Using Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Arthrography. Front Vet Sci, 6, 508. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00508

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 6
Pages: 508
PII: 508

Researcher Affiliations

van Zadelhoff, Claudia
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom.
Schwarz, Tobias
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom.
Smith, Sionagh
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom.
Engerand, Antoine
  • INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleau, France.
Taylor, Sarah
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Baker ME, Lee S, Clinton M, Hackl M, Castanheira C, Peffers MJ, Taylor SE. Investigation of MicroRNA Biomarkers in Equine Distal Interphalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2022 Dec 8;23(24).
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  2. Donohoe DL, Dennert K, Kumar R, Freudinger BP, Sherman AJ. Design and 3D-printing of MRI-compatible cradle for imaging mouse tumors. 3D Print Med 2021 Oct 19;7(1):33.
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  3. Aßmann AD, Sànchez-Andrade JS, Argüelles D, Bischofberger AS. Does Low-Field MRI Tenography Improve the Detection of Naturally Occurring Manica Flexoria Tears in Horses?. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 31;15(15).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15152250pubmed: 40805040google scholar: lookup
  4. Aßmann A, Ohlerth S, Hartmann S, Torgerson P, Bischofberger A. Does Direct MRI Tenography Improve the Diagnostic Performance of Low-Field MRI to Identify Artificially Created Soft-Tissue Lesions within the Equine Cadaveric Digital Flexor Tendon Sheath?. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 7;13(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13243772pubmed: 38136809google scholar: lookup
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