Magnetic resonance imaging of navicular bursa adhesions.
Abstract: Adhesions occur in the navicular bursa between the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and other structures. Our objectives were to describe the appearance of navicular bursa adhesions on high-field magnetic resonance (MR) images, to compare these findings to findings at navicular bursoscopy, and to determine the prevalence of lesions in the remainder of the podotrochlear apparatus. Sixteen forelimbs from 14 horses that underwent MR imaging and navicular bursoscopy were evaluated. Adhesions were considered type 1 when characterized by a discontinuity in the navicular bursa fluid signal between two structures, type 2 when the navicular bursa fluid signal was disrupted and ill-defined tissue was present between two structures, and type 3 when the fluid signal was disrupted and well-defined tissue was present between two structures. Twenty-six adhesions were suspected on MR images and nineteen were visualized at surgery. The positive predictive value was 50% for type 1 adhesions, 67% for type 2 adhesions, and 100% for type 3 adhesions. Additional lesions were detected in the navicular bursa in 15 limbs, the DDFT in 13, the navicular bone in 15, the collateral sesamoidean ligaments in 9, and the distal sesamoidean impar ligament in 8. A discontinuity in the navicular bursa fluid signal with well-defined tissue between two structures detected on high-field MR images is diagnostic for a navicular bursa adhesion. Additional lesions in the podotrochlear apparatus are common in horses with navicular bursa adhesions.
© 2012 Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.
Publication Date: 2012-06-25 PubMed ID: 22731965DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2012.01954.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Adhesions
- Anatomy
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Study
- Deep Digital Flexor Tendon
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Ligaments
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Musculoskeletal System
- Navicular Bone
- Pathology
- Radiology
- Surgery
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
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 article investigates how Magnetics Resonance (MR) Imaging is used to view adhesions occurring in the navicular bursa of horses, comparing them to findings during surgery and determining the prevalence of lesions in the rest of the podotrochlear apparatus.
Research Objectives
- The study aimed at describing the appearance of navicular bursa adhesions on high-field magnetic resonance (MR) images.
- It also sought to compare these MR findings to the findings obtained from navicular bursoscopy, a surgical procedure done on horses.
- The research also aimed to determine the prevalence of lesions in the remainder of the podotrochlear apparatus, a structure within a horse’s foot.
Methodology
- Sixteen forelimbs from 14 horses that underwent MR imaging and navicular bursoscopy were evaluated in this study.
- The adhesions were categorized into three types based on their appearance on the MR images. Type 1 adhesions showed a discontinuity in the navicular bursa fluid signal; Type 2 adhesions displayed a disrupted and ill-defined tissue presence; and Type 3 adhesions had a disrupted fluid signal and well-defined tissue presence.
Findings
- Twenty-six adhesions were suspected based on the MR images and nineteen were visualized at surgery.
- The study found different predictive values for the three types of adhesions. For Type 1, the value was 50%. For Type 2, it was 67%, and for Type 3, it was 100%. This means the prediction for Type 3 adhesions was precise.
- More lesions were discovered in the navicular bursa of 15 limbs, the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in 13 limbs, the navicular bone in 15 limbs, the collateral sesamoidean ligaments in 9 limbs, and the distal sesamoidean impar ligament in 8 limbs.
Conclusion
- The conclusion drawn from this study is that a discontinuity in the navicular bursa fluid signal with well-defined tissue between two structures detected on high-field MR images can accurately diagnose a navicular bursa adhesion.
- The research also concluded that other lesions are commonly found in the podotrochlear apparatus of horses with navicular bursa adhesions.
Cite This Article
APA
Holowinski ME, Solano M, Maranda L, García-López JM.
(2012).
Magnetic resonance imaging of navicular bursa adhesions.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 53(5), 566-572.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2012.01954.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bursa, Synovial / pathology
- Foot Diseases / diagnosis
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Forelimb
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Tarsal Bones / pathology
- Tissue Adhesions / diagnosis
- Tissue Adhesions / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Barrett MF, Goorchenko GE, Frisbie DD. Comparison of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Identifying Soft Tissue Abnormalities in the Palmar Aspect of the Equine Digit. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jul 17;13(14).
- Scharf A, Acutt E, Bills K, Werpy N. Magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing and managing deep digital flexor tendinopathy in equine athletes: Insights, advances and future directions. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1183-1203.
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