Magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography and histology of the suspensory ligament origin: a comparative study of normal anatomy of warmblood horses.
Abstract: The diagnosis of lameness caused by proximal metacarpal and metatarsal pain can be challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers the possibility for further diagnosis but there have been no studies on the normal MRI appearance of the origin of the suspensory ligament (OSL) in conjunction with ultrasonography and histology. Objective: To describe the MRI appearance of the OSL in fore- and hindlimbs of sound horses and compare it to the ultrasonographic and histological appearance. The findings can be used as reference values to recognise pathology in the OSL. Methods: The OSL in the fore- and hindlimbs of 6 sound horses was examined by ultrasonography prior to death, and MRI and histology post mortem. Qualitative evaluation and morphometry of the OSL were performed and results of all modalities compared. Results: Muscular tissue, artefacts, variable SL size and shape complicated ultrasonographic interpretation. In MRI and histology the forelimb OSL consisted of 2 portions, the lateral being significantly thicker than medial. The hindlimb SL had a single large area of origin. In fore- and hindlimbs, the amount of muscular tissue was significantly larger laterally than medially. Overall SL measurements using MRI were significantly higher than using histology and ultrasonography and histological higher than ultrasonographic measurements. Morphologically, there was a good correlation between MRI and histology. Conclusions: MRI provides more detailed information than ultrasonography regarding muscle fibre detection and OSL dimension and correlates morphologically well with histology. Therefore, ultrasonographic results should be regarded with caution. Conclusions: MRI may be a diagnostic aid when other modalities fail to identify clearly the cause of proximal metacarpal and metatarsal pain; and may improve selection of adequate therapy and prognosis for injuries in this region.
Publication Date: 2006-11-28 PubMed ID: 17124840DOI: 10.2746/042516406x156109Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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.
This research focuses on diagnosing lameness in horses, specifically from pain in the proximal metacarpal and metatarsal regions. The study explores how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), paired with ultrasonography and histology, enhances the understanding of the normal anatomy of a horse’s suspensory ligament, thereby aiding in recognizing pathological changes.
Methods Used in the Study
- The study involved fore- and hindlimbs of six healthy horses. The horses were examined using ultrasonography whilst alive and post-mortem MRI and histological examinations were carried out.
- Morphometry of the origin of the suspensory ligament (OSL) was conducted, and results of the three diagnostic procedures were compared.
The Findings
- Ultrasonographic interpretation was complicated due to muscular tissues, artefacts, and variable suspensory ligament (SL) size and shape.
- The forelimb OSL consisted of two portions in MRI and histology: the lateral part was thicker than the medial part.
- The hindlimb SL in MRI and histology revealed a large single area of origin.
- The muscular tissue was found significantly larger laterally than medially in both the fore- and hindlimbs.
- The results showed that overall SL measurements using MRI were significantly higher than those obtained through histology or ultrasonography. Moreover, histological measurements were higher than ultrasonographic measurements, indicating a hierarchy in the effectiveness of these techniques.
- The study found a good morphological correlation between MRI and histology.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that MRI can provide more detailed information than ultrasonography regarding muscle fibre detection and OSL dimension and has a good morphological correlation with histology.
- Results from ultrasonography should be considered cautiously, given the difficulties linked to variability in SL size, shape and interference from muscular tissue and artefacts.
- Utilizing MRI as a diagnostic aid can be crucial when other techniques fail to explicitly identify the cause of pain in the proximal metacarpal and metatarsal regions.
- The use of MRI might also assist in effectively selecting appropriate treatment and predicting prognosis for injuries in this region.
Cite This Article
APA
Bischofberger AS, Konar M, Ohlerth S, Geyer H, Lang J, Ueltschi G, Lischer CJ.
(2006).
Magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography and histology of the suspensory ligament origin: a comparative study of normal anatomy of warmblood horses.
Equine Vet J, 38(6), 508-516.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406x156109 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Hospital, Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Radio-Oncology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zürich.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb
- Hindlimb
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Lameness, Animal / pathology
- Ligaments / anatomy & histology
- Ligaments / diagnostic imaging
- Ligaments / pathology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Male
- Metacarpus / anatomy & histology
- Metacarpus / diagnostic imaging
- Metacarpus / pathology
- Metatarsus / anatomy & histology
- Metatarsus / diagnostic imaging
- Metatarsus / pathology
- Pain / diagnosis
- Pain / diagnostic imaging
- Pain / pathology
- Pain / veterinary
- Reference Values
- Ultrasonography / methods
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Likon I, Dyson S, Nagy A. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurements of the Proximal Palmar Cortex of the Third Metacarpal Bone and the Suspensory Ligament in Non-Lame Endurance Horses before and after Six Months of Training.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 20;13(6).
- Gerdes C, Morgan R, Terry R, Foote A, Smith R. Computed tomographic arthrography, gross anatomy and histology demonstrate a communication between synovial invaginations in the proximal aspect of the third interosseous muscle and the carpometacarpal joint in horses.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:958598.
- Salem M, El-Shafaey ES, Farag AMM, El-Khodery S, Al Mohamad Z, Abass M. A Descriptive Study of the Carpal Joint of Healthy Donkeys Using Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.. Vet Sci 2022 May 23;9(5).
- Scharf A, de Solis CN, Sampson SN, Glass K, Watts AE. Suspensory ligament size does not change after plantar fasciotomy and neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve by ultrasonographic assessment.. Vet Surg 2022 Feb;51(2):259-269.
- van Veggel E, Selberg K, van der Velde-Hoogelander B, Bolas N, Vanderperren K, Bergman HJ. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of the Proximal Metacarpal Region in Warmblood Horses: 36 Lame and 26 Control Limbs (2015-2021).. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:714423.
- Maleas G, Mageed M. Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate as Treatments for Chronic Hindlimb Proximal Suspensory Desmopathy.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:678453.
- Mizobe F, Nomura M, Kato T, Nambo Y, Yamada K. Signal changes in standing magnetic resonance imaging of osseous injury at the origin of the suspensory ligament in four Thoroughbred racehorses under tiludronic acid treatment.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(3):87-97.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
