Microwave thermography: a non-invasive technique for investigation of injury of the superficial digital flexor tendon in the horse.
Abstract: Microwave thermographs were recorded from 77 normal horses. In 51% the lowest temperature was recorded in the mid-metacarpal region, and in 41% it was in the distal metacarpal region. The mean temperature of the normal limbs ranged from 25.04 to 37.4 degrees C. Maximum temperature differences between symmetrical points in both forelimbs ranged from 0 to 5.33 degrees C and differences in mean limb temperatures between both forelimbs ranged from 0 to 2.91 degrees C. In 48 horses with acute (less than 4 weeks' duration) injury of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) (36 unilateral, 12 bilateral) and 12 horses with acute injury of the soft tissues of the palmar metacarpal region other than the SDFT (all unilateral) 66% of forelimbs had acute SDFT injury, and 50% of those with other soft tissue injuries, had elevations of the temperature in the mid- or distal metacarpal region. Abnormal values for mean limb temperature, difference in mean limb temperature and maximum temperature difference between locations in opposite forelimbs were detected in 75% of the horses with SDFT injury and in only 16% of the horses with other soft tissue injury. The sensitivity of microwave thermography for the detection of SDFT injury was 81% and the specificity 74%. When 30 horses in National Hunt training were examined weekly for 5 weeks, 2 horses sustained SDFT injury during that period. The microwave thermographs recorded from these 2 horses, at 1 and 2 weeks before the onset of clinical signs, were abnormal. However, 16 horses which did not develop tendon injury also displayed thermographic abnormalities.
Publication Date: 1992-07-01 PubMed ID: 1499533DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02833.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Injury
- Musculoskeletal System
- Noninvasive Procedures
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Soft Tissue
- Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon
- Temperature
- Thermography
- Thermoneutral Zone
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research explores the use of microwave thermography as a non-invasive method to study injuries sustained in the superficial digital flexor tendon in horses.
Methodology
- The study conducted microwave thermographs on 77 healthy horses to establish baseline data; studying temperature ranges and differences in symmetrical points between forelimbs and mean limb temperatures.
- Horses with acute injuries (less than 4 weeks old) in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and in the soft tissues of the palmar metacarpal region were studied. Their thermographs were compared with the normal horses.
- A subset of horses undergoing National Hunt training were examined weekly for 5 weeks for potential injuries occurring during training.
Results
- For the healthy horses, the lowest temperature was most commonly recorded in the mid-metacarpal region (51% of cases) and the distal metacarpal region (41% of cases).
- In cases of acute SDFT injuries, an elevation of temperature was observed in the mid- or distal metacarpal region for 66% of the injured forelimbs.
- In cases with other soft tissue injuries, 50% displayed temperature elevations.
- The study found abnormal values for mean limb temperature, difference in mean limb temperature, and maximum temperature difference between locations in opposite forelimbs in horses with SDFT injury (75%) compared to other soft tissue injury (16%).
- The ability of microwave thermography to detect SDFT injury had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 74%.
- During the National Hunt training, two horses sustained SDFT injuries whose microwave thermographs, taken 1 and 2 weeks prior, showed abnormalities. However, 16 horses who did not develop tendon injuries also showed thermographic abnormalities.
Conclusions
- The research concluded that microwave thermography is a promising non-invasive technique to investigate superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in horses.
- While the technique showed sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing SDFT injuries, it also displayed false positives in cases where no tendon injuries developed.
Cite This Article
APA
Marr CM.
(1992).
Microwave thermography: a non-invasive technique for investigation of injury of the superficial digital flexor tendon in the horse.
Equine Vet J, 24(4), 269-273.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02833.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Glasgow, Bearsden, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / injuries
- Male
- Microwaves
- Reference Values
- Tendon Injuries / diagnosis
- Tendon Injuries / veterinary
- Thermography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Holmes LC, Gaughan EM, Gorondy DA, Hogge S, Spire MF. The effect of perineural anesthesia on infrared thermographic images of the forelimb digits of normal horses.. Can Vet J 2003 May;44(5):392-6.
- Archambault JM, Wiley JP, Bray RC. Exercise loading of tendons and the development of overuse injuries. A review of current literature.. Sports Med 1995 Aug;20(2):77-89.
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