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Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14088

Low-field magnetic resonance imaging of sagittal groove disease of the proximal phalanx in non-racing sport horses.

Abstract: Injuries of the sagittal groove of the proximal phalanx (P1) in equine athletes are considered to predominantly occur due to chronic bone stress overload. Objective: To describe the range of abnormalities that is present in the sagittal groove in a large group of horses diagnosed with sagittal groove disease (SGD) on low-field MRI. Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional. Methods: Medical records were searched to identify initial MRI images of horses diagnosed with SGD and these were blindly evaluated using a semi-quantitative grading scheme and novel SGD MRI classification system reflecting potential pathways of pathological progression and severity of stress injury. Results: A total of 132 limbs from 111 horses were included in the study; predominantly warmbloods competing in showjumping (n = 83) and dressage (n = 18). SGD MRI classifications were: 0 (normal, n = 0), 1 (small subchondral defect, n = 2), 2 (osseous densification, n = 28), 3 (subchondral microfissure with osseous densification, n = 7), 4 (bone oedema-like signal within the subchondral ± trabecular bone and ± subchondral microfissure or demineralisation, n = 72), 5 (incomplete macrofissure/fracture, n = 23) and 6 (complete fracture, n = 0). Classification 4c (bone oedema-like signal with demineralisation) and 5 had higher proportions in the plantar third of hindlimbs (3% and 10%, respectively) compared with forelimbs (0% and 0%, respectively). SGD classification and extent of bone oedema-like signal were not significantly different between lame (n = 116) and non-lame limbs (n = 16) (both p > 0.05). Periosteal new bone and oedema-like signal were identified (either confidently or suspected) at the dorsoproximal aspect of P1 in 25% and 39% of limbs, respectively. Conclusions: Inclusion via diagnoses in original MRI reports, variable clinical history, small size of some classification groups. Conclusions: The presence or absence of lameness is not a dependable measure of the severity of SGD. The periosteal oedema-like signal of P1 has not previously been described in MRI of SGD and further supports the concept of bone stress injury.
© 2024 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-04-02 PubMed ID: 38566459DOI: 10.1111/evj.14088Google 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 paper presents a study on the use of low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing sagittal groove disease (SGD), a bone stress injury, in non-racing sport horses, indicating that the presence or absence of lameness is not a reliable measure of SGD severity.

Objective and Methodology

The aim of this study was to describe the abnormalities present in the sagittal groove (a part of the bone structure in horse’s limb) of a large group of horses identified with SGD using low-field MRI. The data was collated retrospectively and used a cross-sectional method.

  • The researchers examined medical records to identify initial MRI images of horses diagnosed with SGD.
  • The images were evaluated blindly using a semi-quantitative grading system and a new SGD MRI classification system.
  • This classification system was aimed to show potential pathways of pathological progression and severity of this stress injury to the bone.

Results

The sample size covered 132 limbs from 111 horses, primarily warmbloods involved in showjumping and dressage.

  • Distinctions were made among the MRIs based on the novel SGD MRI classification system; each diagnosis ranged from small subchondral defects to complete fractures.
  • Higher proportions of certain classifications were found in the lower third of hindlimbs compared to forelimbs.
  • Interestingly, no significant differences were found between the extent of bone edema-like signals in lame and non-lame limbs.
  • The study also identified, either confidently or suspected, periosteal new bone and edema-like signal at the top front aspect of the proximal phalanx (P1) in 25% and 39% of limbs, respectively.

Conclusion

The study concluded that:

  • The presence or absence of lameness is not a reliable measure of the severity of SGD.
  • The detection of periosteal edema-like signals in P1, not previously described in MRIs of SGD, lends additional support to the concept of bone stress injury.
  • Further, diagnoses included in original MRI reports, variable clinical history, and the small size of some classification groups were identified as limitations to the study.

Cite This Article

APA
Faulkner JE, Joostens Z, Broeckx BJG, Hauspie S, Mariën T, Vanderperren K. (2024). Low-field magnetic resonance imaging of sagittal groove disease of the proximal phalanx in non-racing sport horses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14088

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Faulkner, Josephine E
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Joostens, Zoë
  • Equitom Equine Clinic, Lummen, Belgium.
Broeckx, Bart J G
  • Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Hauspie, Stijn
  • Equitom Equine Clinic, Lummen, Belgium.
Mariën, Tom
  • Equitom Equine Clinic, Lummen, Belgium.
Vanderperren, Katrien
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Boado A, Pollard D, Dyson S. Retrospective Analysis of Suspensory Ligament Branch Injuries in 70 Dressage Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 23;15(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15213079pubmed: 41227410google scholar: lookup
  2. Boado A, Pollard D, Dyson S. A Retrospective Study of the Evolution of Orthopaedic Injuries in 70 Dressage Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 12;15(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15121740pubmed: 40564292google scholar: lookup
  3. Nagy A, Dyson SJ. Combined standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging and fan-beam computed tomographic diagnosis of fetlock region pain in 27 sports horses. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1313-1327.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14504pubmed: 40123444google scholar: lookup
  4. Lin ST, Foote AK, Bolas NM, Sargan DR, Murray RC. Histological and Histopathological Features of the Third Metacarpal/Tarsal Parasagittal Groove and Proximal Phalanx Sagittal Groove in Thoroughbred Horses with Racing History. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 30;14(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14131942pubmed: 38998057google scholar: lookup
  5. Nagy A, Dyson S. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomographic and Radiographic Findings in the Metacarpophalangeal Joints of 31 Warmblood Showjumpers in Full Work and Competing Regularly. Animals (Basel) 2024 May 9;14(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14101417pubmed: 38791635google scholar: lookup
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