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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Imaging and histological features of central subchondral ost...
Equine veterinary journal2010; 41(9); 859-864; doi: 10.2746/042516409x448481

Imaging and histological features of central subchondral osteophytes in racehorses with metacarpophalangeal joint osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Marginal osteophytes represent a well known component of osteoarthritis in man and animals. Conversely, central subchondral osteophytes (COs), which are commonly present in human knees with osteoarthritis, have not been reported in horses. Objective: To describe and compare computed radiography (CR), single-slice computed tomography (CT), 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and histological features of COs in equine metacarpophalangeal joints with macroscopic evidence of naturally-occurring osteoarthritis. Methods: MRI sequences (sagittal spoiled gradient recalled echo [SPGR] with fat saturation, sagittal T2-weighted fast spin echo with fat saturation [T2-FS], dorsal and transverse T1-weighted gradient-recalled echo [GRE], and sagittal T2*-weighted gradient echo with fast imaging employing steady state acquisition [FIESTA]), as well as transverse and reformatted sagittal CTI and 4 computed radiographic (CR) views of 20 paired metacarpophalangeal joints were acquired ex vivo. Following macroscopic evaluation, samples were harvested in predetermined sites of the metacarpal condyle for subsequent histology. The prevalence and detection level of COs was determined for each imaging modality. Results: Abnormalities consistent with COs were clearly depicted on MRI, using the SPGR sequence, in 7/20 (35%) joints. They were identified as a focal hypointense protuberance from the subchondral plate into the cartilage, at the palmarodistal aspect (n=7) and/or at the very dorsal aspect (n=2) of the metacarpal condyle. COs were visible but less obvious in 5 of the 7 joints using FIESTA and reformatted sagittal CT, and were not identifiable on T2-FS, T1-GRE or CR. Microscopically, they consisted of dense bone protruding into the calcified cartilage and disrupting the tidemarks, and they were consistently associated with overlying cartilage defects. Conclusions: Subchondral osteophytes are a feature of osteoarthritis of equine metacarpophalangeal joints and they may be diagnosed using 1.5 Tesla MRI and CT. Conclusions: Central subchondral osteophytes on MRI represent indirect evidence of cartilage damage in horses.
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Publication Date: 2010-04-14 PubMed ID: 20383982DOI: 10.2746/042516409x448481Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research explores the presence, detection, and nature of central subchondral osteophytes (bone spurs in the centre of joints) in racehorses with osteoarthritis. Using various imaging methods, the study confirms subchondral osteophytes as a characteristic of osteoarthritis in equine metacarpophalangeal joints (joints in a horse’s foot) and their potential for being indirectly indicative of cartilage damage.

Research Methods

  • In this research, computed radiography (CR), single-slice computed tomography (CT), and 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used, complemented by histology (study of microscopic structure of tissues).
  • The study’s focus was on metacarpophalangeal joints in horses which showed macroscopic signs of naturally occurring osteoarthritis.
  • Different MRI sequences were deployed such as sagittal spoiled gradient recalled echo (SPGR) with fat saturation to analyze the joints.
  • 20 paired metacarpophalangeal joints were dissected and examined post-mortem.
  • The areas for histological study were pre-determined and samples collected accordingly.

Findings

  • The MRI SPGR sequence helped in identifying abnormalities related to central subchondral osteophytes in 35% of the examined joints.
  • Characteristics of the osteophytes include a focal hypointense protuberance (dim point of protrusion) from the subchondral plate (area of bone under cartilage) into the cartilage, at the palmarodistal aspect (towards the hoof) and/or at the very dorsal aspect (back area) of the metacarpal condyle (knobby end of the metacarpal bone).
  • While the osteophytes were visible using other imaging methods such as FIESTA (Fast Imaging Employing Steady-state Acquisition) and CT, they were less apparent and could not be identified at all using some techniques (T2-FS, T1-GRE, and CR).
  • Microscopic examination showed dense bone protruding into the calcified cartilage and disrupting the tidemarks (boundaries between calcified and non-calcified cartilage), suggesting their consistent association with overlying cartilage defects.

Conclusions

  • Central subchondral osteophytes are a tangible feature of osteoarthritis in horse metacarpophalangeal joints and can be effectively diagnosed using 1.5 Tesla MRI and CT.
  • The presence of central subchondral osteophytes highlighted by MRI can serve as indirect evidence for cartilage damage in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Olive J, D'Anjou MA, Girard C, Laverty S, Theoret CL. (2010). Imaging and histological features of central subchondral osteophytes in racehorses with metacarpophalangeal joint osteoarthritis. Equine Vet J, 41(9), 859-864. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x448481

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 9
Pages: 859-864

Researcher Affiliations

Olive, J
  • Département de biomédecine vétérinaire, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada J25 7C6.
D'Anjou, M A
    Girard, C
      Laverty, S
        Theoret, C L

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Cadaver
          • Forelimb / pathology
          • Horse Diseases / pathology
          • Horses
          • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
          • Osteoarthritis / pathology
          • Osteoarthritis / veterinary
          • Osteophyte / pathology
          • Osteophyte / veterinary

          Citations

          This article has been cited 12 times.
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