Infection of the intertubercular bursa in horses: four cases (1978-1991).

This research paper is a retrospective study of four cases of horse infections in the intertubercular bursa, conducted between 1978 and 1991, to determine the clinical outcome of the different treatments applied.

Research Methodology

• The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis by reviewing the medical records of four horses that were referred for treatment of infectious bicipital bursitis.
• The study was specifically on horses that presented with severe lameness upon admission.
• Diagnostic methods used in the study included palpation over the bicipital bursa, flexion and extension of the horse’s scapulohumeral joint, and ultrasonography on one of the four horses.

Research Findings

• Three out of the four horses showed resistance to palpation around the bicipital bursa and faced difficulty when flexion and extension of the scapulohumeral joint were attempted.
• As a result of ultrasonography, it was observed that the bicipital bursa of one of the horses was swollen and contained excessive amounts of fluid, inclusive of hyperechoic material, an indication of a severe infection.

Treatment and Results

• Two horses were treated with antimicrobial and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but the treatment was not successful as the horses remained lame and didn’t return to their previous level of activity.
• The remaining two horses were treated with a surgical procedure known as partial synovectomy, on top of the treatments administered to the first two horses. These horses eventually returned to their previous activity levels, although one exhibited a minor continued lameness.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that partial synovectomy may be a potentially effective treatment for horses suffering from infectious bicipital bursitis, indicated by the relative improvement seen in the horses subject to this operation.