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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(13); 1995; doi: 10.3390/ani15131995

Multi-Detector Helical Computed Tomography, Transrectal Ultrasonography, and Histology of the Sacroiliac Joint: A Comparative Study in Adult Warmblood Horse Cadavers.

Abstract: This study described, assessed and correlated ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, and histological findings in the sacroiliac joints of adult Warmblood horse cadavers. In total, 25 joints from 15 horses were examined post-mortem using transrectal ultrasonography and helical computed tomography. Findings on computed tomography were graded in the caudal joint third (caudally) and for the entire joint as mild, moderate, or severe. In total, 11 joints from nine horses were evaluated histologically. All joints (100%) showed abnormalities on computed tomography, and 92% (23/25) displayed abnormal ultrasonographic findings. The most common ultrasonographic findings were osteophytes (92%), joint effusion (76%), and sacral/iliac bone modeling (76%). Computed tomography revealed osteophytes (92% caudally, 100% overall), sclerosis (72% caudally, 88% overall), subchondral bone lesions (60% caudally, 88% overall), and enthesophytes (60% caudally, 68% overall). The most severe CT findings occurred caudally (44%), whereas 24% occurred cranially,16% in the mid portion of the SIJ, and 16% were multifocally present in the SIJ Histological analysis showed degenerative changes in the cartilage, subchondral bone, and the joint capsule. Horses with more pronounced imaging abnormalities also showed corresponding histological degeneration. Significant correlations were found between computed tomographic findings caudally and in the entire joint (r = 0.915, < 0.001, = 25), and between imaging and histological findings (computed tomography: r = 0.731, = 0.011, = 11; ultrasonography: r = 0.67, = 0.024, = 11). Non-significant correlations were observed between mean ultrasonographic and computed-tomographic grades (r = 0.35, = 0.087, = 25). Findings suggest these structural changes may reflect adaptation to joint loading. Transrectal ultrasonography appears suitable as a first-line diagnostic tool. However, future studies are essential to compare the diagnostic imaging findings of SIJs in asymptomatic and symptomatic horses to elucidate their clinical relevance.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-07 PubMed ID: 40646894PubMed Central: PMC12248472DOI: 10.3390/ani15131995Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article presents a comparative study of the sacroiliac joint in adult warmblood horse cadavers using multi-detector helical computed tomography, transrectal ultrasonography, and histology. Its findings suggest structural changes in these joints could be adaptations to joint loading, and that transrectal ultrasonography can serve as a reliable initial diagnostic tool.

Study Design and Joints Examined

  • The research team examined 25 sacroiliac joints from 15 adult Warmblood horse cadavers, using transrectal ultrasonography and helical computed tomography.
  • The sacroiliac joint’s condition was graded on computed tomography as mild, moderate, or severe, focusing on the caudal joint third (towards the back) and on the joint as a whole.
  • Further, Histological evaluation was performed on 11 joints from nine horses.

Key Research Findings

  • All the examined joints (100%) showed abnormalities on computed tomography, and 92% (23 out of 25) showed abnormal ultrasonographic findings.
  • The most frequent abnormal findings included osteophytes (bone spurs), joint effusion (excessive accumulation of fluid in the joint), and sacral/iliac bone modeling.
  • The severity of the computed tomography findings seemed to be more pronounced toward the back of the joint (44%), whereas 24% were at the front, 16% in the middle, and 16% were present in multiple areas within the joint.

Correspondence Between Different Diagnostic Methods

  • There were significant correlations observed between the computed tomography findings towards the back and those of the entire joint, and similarly between imaging and histological findings.
  • Non-significant correlations were observed between mean ultrasonographic and computed-tomographic grades, emphasizing the significance of comprehensive imaging for joint health evaluation.

Implications and Future Research

  • The study suggests that the observed structural changes in the sacroiliac joints of these horses may be indicative of adaptation to joint loading.
  • The findings validate the use of transrectal ultrasonography as a useful initial diagnostic tool for examining the sacroiliac joint in horses.
  • Future work should compare diagnostic imaging findings of sacroiliac joints in both asymptomatic and symptomatic horses. This will further clarify the clinical relevance and reflect a more practical utility of these imaging modalities.

Cite This Article

APA
Mathys RA, Schmitz TR, Geyer H, Borel N, Hilbe M, Ohlerth S, Bischofberger AS. (2025). Multi-Detector Helical Computed Tomography, Transrectal Ultrasonography, and Histology of the Sacroiliac Joint: A Comparative Study in Adult Warmblood Horse Cadavers. Animals (Basel), 15(13), 1995. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131995

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 13
PII: 1995

Researcher Affiliations

Mathys, Rebecca A
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Schmitz, Thomas R
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Geyer, Hans
  • Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Borel, Nicole
  • Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Hilbe, Monika
  • Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Ohlerth, Stefanie
  • Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Bischofberger, Andrea S
  • Clinic for Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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