Imaging Findings of Congenital Distal Interphalangeal Joint Dysplasia in a 3-Month-Old Friesian Foal.
Abstract: A 3-month-old Friesian colt presented with severe, progressive distal limb lameness in two limbs. Radiographic and postmortem full-body CT imaging revealed severe articular deforming osteolysis and osteoproliferation at the dorsodistal navicular bone margin and the adjacent distal phalanx proximo-palmar/proximo-plantar margin in two limbs, with the remainder of the distal interphalangeal joint being unaffected. Multiple other joints showed small osteolytic subchondral defects. Postmortem histopathological examination confirmed focal joint disease of both distal interphalangeal joints, without an identifiable cause. Based on clinical presentation, imaging findings, and histopathology, regional joint maldevelopment was suspected.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Publication Date: 2025-08-20 PubMed ID: 40831150PubMed Central: PMC12365430DOI: 10.1111/vru.70076Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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Research Overview
- This study reports on a 3-month-old Friesian foal with severe lameness linked to congenital malformation of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints, identified through radiographic, CT imaging, and histopathological examination.
Case Presentation
- A 3-month-old Friesian colt exhibited severe, worsening lameness in two distal limbs, indicating a significant locomotor problem early in life.
- The lameness was focused in the distal limbs, specifically involving joints near the hooves.
Imaging Findings
- Radiographic (X-ray) and postmortem full-body CT scans were used to evaluate the skeletal structures of the foal.
- They revealed severe deformities in the distal interphalangeal joints, particularly involving two key anatomical areas:
- The dorsodistal margin of the navicular bone (a small bone within the hoof).
- The proximo-palmar (front and bottom) or proximo-plantar (back and bottom) margin of the distal phalanx (the bone at the tip of the digit).
- These regions showed signs of:
- Articular deforming osteolysis – abnormal bone loss or destruction around the joint surfaces.
- Osteoproliferation – abnormal new bone formation indicating a reactive or pathological process.
- The rest of the distal interphalangeal joint appeared normal, suggesting the lesion was localized rather than widespread.
- Additional joints across the body exhibited small osteolytic subchondral defects, indicating possible multifocal joint involvement or a generalized joint disease process.
Histopathological Examination
- Postmortem tissue analysis of the affected DIP joints confirmed localized joint pathology.
- No infectious, inflammatory, or other identifiable causes were found, ruling out common causes of joint disease such as infection or immune-mediated arthritis.
Interpretation and Conclusion
- The combination of clinical signs, imaging results, and histopathological findings suggested regional joint maldevelopment affecting the distal interphalangeal joints.
- This condition is a congenital distal interphalangeal joint dysplasia, meaning the joints did not develop normally before birth.
- The disease appears to cause progressive joint deformity and lameness due to abnormal bone remodeling localized to specific joint margins.
- This report adds to the understanding of specific congenital joint disorders in foals, especially Friesian horses that may have a predisposition.
- The detailed imaging and histopathology provide valuable diagnostic markers for veterinary practice when evaluating young horses with similar clinical presentations.
Cite This Article
APA
Giessen EJM, Stas EKL, Grinwis GCM, Veraa S.
(2025).
Imaging Findings of Congenital Distal Interphalangeal Joint Dysplasia in a 3-Month-Old Friesian Foal.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 66(5), e70076.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.70076 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Equine Clinic, Department of Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / congenital
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
- Joint Diseases / veterinary
- Joint Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Joint Diseases / congenital
- Joint Diseases / pathology
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Male
- Female
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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