Navicular syndrome in equine patients anatomy, causes, and diagnosis.

This research investigates Navicular syndrome, which is a common cause of forelimb lameness in horses, and discusses its causes, anatomy, diagnosis, and the role of modern imaging techniques in identifying the characteristics of the disease which might not be visible by traditional methods.

Overview of Navicular Syndrome

• Navicular syndrome is a chronic disease affecting horses, specifically impacting the navicular bone, the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), and related soft tissue which together make up the navicular apparatus.
• It has been identified as one of the leading causes of lameness in a horse’s forelimb.

Diagnosing Navicular Syndrome

• A diagnosis of navicular syndrome is made based on the history of the horse, a physical examination, a lameness examination, and peripheral or intraarticular diagnostic anaesthesia. Analyzing the horse’s history and physical conditions help identify any underlying chronic issues or physical abnormalities.
• Sometimes, when lameness is observed and other common causes have been ruled out, a diagnosis might be made based on the deduction that the navicular bone must be the cause.

Role of Imaging in Diagnosis

• Various imaging techniques like radiography, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy, thermography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to identify any pathological changes relating to navicular syndrome.
• The research points out that radiographic changes of the navicular bone are not exclusive indicators of navicular syndrome. Instead, horses with this syndrome may not necessarily show radiographic changes linked to the navicular bone.
• Due to this, contemporary imaging technologies like CT and MRI have become increasingly important for detecting lesions that may not be detected using traditional radiographs.

Navicular Bursoscopy and the Discovery of Additional Anatomic Structures

• Navicular bursoscopy is another potential diagnostic tool which may be used if suspicions arise that the lameness originates from the navicular region of the foot and if other imaging modalities fail to provide a clear diagnosis.
• As a result of these advanced diagnostic imaging techniques, researchers are realizing that other anatomic structures, besides the navicular bursa, bone, and DDFT, might also have significant roles in navicular syndrome.