Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of the Fetlock Region of Nonracehorses.
Abstract: Low-field, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced imaging modality widely used to diagnose distal limb pathology in horses, but there are limited data regarding lesion distribution within the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint (MCP/MTPJ) region in lame nonracehorses. The aim of this study was to describe the low-field MRI findings and lesion distribution in nonracehorses with MCP/MTPJ region pain. Clinical records from horses undergoing MRI of the MCP/MTPJ region between July 2016 and March 2023 were reviewed. Horses were included if pain causing lameness was localized to this region and conventional imaging failed to provide a definitive diagnosis. Eighty-four horses met the inclusion criteria. Soft tissues were affected in 76 (90.5%) horses, with suspensory ligament branch injuries being the most frequent (60.7%) soft tissue pathology identified. Osseous pathology was diagnosed in 51 horses. The subchondral bone (SCB) of the distal third metacarpal/metatarsal bone (MC3/MT3) was the osseous structure most frequently affected (40.5%), with 79.4% of these horses having lesions on the dorsal aspect of the bone. Osteoarthritis was present in 48 (57.1%) horses. The main limitations of the study were the lack of a standardized diagnostic analgesia pattern due to varying veterinary surgeon involvement, and the absence of bilateral magnetic resonance (MR) sequences in all limbs. MRI is a useful diagnostic tool to assess soft tissue structures in the MCP/MTP region, especially in horses with thick skin, which may make ultrasonographic imaging unreliable.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-10-11 PubMed ID: 37832699DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104938Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article focuses on understanding how low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be useful in diagnosing diseases related to the limbs of horses, especially nonracehorses. The study particularly dwells into the distribution of lesions within the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint (MCP/MTPJ) region in lame nonracehorses.
Objective and Methodology
- The primary objective of this research was to provide insights on the lesion distribution in the MCP/MTPJ region of nonracehorses which suffer from pain in this particular area.
- To support the findings, the researchers conducted a retrospective review of clinical records from horses which underwent MRI of the MCP/MTPJ region between July 2016 and March 2023.
- The study controlled its sample by including only horses where lameness was localized to the MCP/MTPJ region, and previous conventional imaging techniques failed to provide a definitive diagnosis. This yielded a sample size of 84 horses.
Key Findings
- Out of the 84 horses that met the criteria, 76 (90.5%) horses were found to have affected soft tissues. The most frequent of these pathologies was identified as suspensory ligament branch injuries that were seen in 60.7% of the affected horses.
- Bone-related pathologies were diagnosed in 51 horses. The subchondral bone (SCB) of the distal third metacarpal/metatarsal bone (MC3/MT3) was the osseous structure most frequently affected (40.5%), with 79.4% of such horses having lesions on the dorsal aspect of the bone.
- Osteoarthritis was identified in 48 horses, which comprises 57.1% of the sample population.
Limitations and Implications
- The study acknowledges few limitations such as the lack of a standardized diagnostic analgesia pattern due to varying veterinary surgeon involvement, and the absence of bilateral magnetic resonance sequences in all limbs.
- Despite the above limitations, the study concludes that MRI is a useful diagnostic tool for assessing soft tissue structures in the MCP/MTP region, especially in horses with thick skin, where ultrasonographic imaging may not be reliable.
- The results of this study can prove significant for equine medicine and can provide better diagnosis solutions for lameness in nonracehorses.
Cite This Article
APA
Auth AK, Hinnigan GJ, Smith MA, Owen KR.
(2023).
Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of the Fetlock Region of Nonracehorses.
J Equine Vet Sci, 132, 104938.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104938 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Oakhill Veterinary Centre, Goosnargh, Preston, UK. Electronic address: auth.adel@gmail.com.
- Oakhill Veterinary Centre, Goosnargh, Preston, UK.
- Image Equine, Ashwell End Farm, Ashwell, Hertfordshire, UK.
- Oakhill Veterinary Centre, Goosnargh, Preston, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Joints
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Extremities
- Pain / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest No competing interests have been declared.
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