Nuclear scintigraphic evaluation of the distal tarsal region in normal horses.
Abstract: Bone-phase scintigraphy is sensitive to the dynamic process of bone modeling and remodeling, which may be adaptive or pathologic. Our knowledge of normal patterns of radiopharmaceutical uptake (RU) is limited, making interpretation of images problematic. It is therefore important to characterize normal patterns of RU at specific sites and relate these to age and exercise, to ensure valid interpretation of images in clinical cases with subtle lesions. This study aimed to characterize patterns of uptake of radiopharmaceutical in the distal tarsal region in clinically normal horses, and to investigate the effects of age and work discipline. Retrospective evaluation of nuclear scintigraphic images of the distal tarsal region of 30 clinically sound, high-level show-jumpers and lower-level riding horses was performed. All images were acquired dynamically as a series of 35 two-second frames, which were then motion corrected and summated. The images were assessed using vertical and horizontal profile analysis across the distal tarsal region, and regions of interest comparisons between the distal tarsal region and tibia within each horse. There was a repeatable pattern of RU across the distal tarsal region in both horizontal and vertical directions. There was significantly greater RU on the dorsal compared with plantar aspect, and lateral compared with medial aspect of the distal tarsal region. RU in the right distal tarsal region was significantly greater than in the left. Elite showjumpers had significantly higher RU ratio compared with the lower-level riding horses, but no significant alterations in the pattern of RU were detected.
Publication Date: 2004-09-18 PubMed ID: 15373263DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2004.04066.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article presents a study on the uptake patterns of radiopharmaceuticals in the distal tarsal region of normal horses, and its correlation to age and work discipline. The study purports to improve the interpretation of bone-phase scintigraphy images, often challenged due to lack of understanding of normal radiopharmaceutical uptake (RU) patterns.
Research Methodology
- The study consisted of a retrospective evaluation of nuclear scintigraphic images of the distal tarsal region in 30 clinically normal, high-level show-jumpers and lower-level riding horses.
- The images were obtained dynamically with each image being a series of 35 two-second frames. The frames were then motion corrected and combined.
- The distal tarsal region images were evaluated using vertical and horizontal profile analysis, and areas of interest comparisons – between the distal tarsal region and tibia – were made within each horse.
Findings
- The study found a repeatable pattern of RU across the distal tarsal region in both horizontal and vertical directions.
- Significantly greater RU was observed on the dorsal side (back) compared to the plantar aspect (sole or underside), and on the lateral side (towards the outer side of the body) compared to the medial aspect (towards the midline of the body) of the distal tarsal region.
- The RU in the right distal tarsal region was significantly more than that in the left.
Implication in Horses’ Work Discipline
- When comparing elite showjumpers and lower-tier riding horses, a significantly higher RU ratio was found in the former.
- No significant changes in the pattern of RU were noted in relation to different work disciplines, suggesting that while the degree of RU might vary with work activity, the pattern tends to remain consistent.
Conclusions and Further Implications
- The research provides important insights into the normal pattern of radiopharmaceutical uptake in the distal tarsal region of horses. This understanding is crucial to correctly interpret bone-phase scintigraphy images and diagnose pathologic conditions.
- It also highlights the effect of the horse’s work discipline on RU, although it maintains that the overall pattern of RU doesn’t alter with work discipline.
Cite This Article
APA
Murray RC, Dyson SJ, Weekes JS, Branch MV, Hladick S.
(2004).
Nuclear scintigraphic evaluation of the distal tarsal region in normal horses.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 45(4), 345-351.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2004.04066.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Health Trust, Kentford, Newmarket, CB8 7UU, UK. rachel.murray@aht.org.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Injections, Intravenous / veterinary
- Radionuclide Imaging / veterinary
- Radiopharmaceuticals / administration & dosage
- Reference Values
- Retrospective Studies
- Tarsus, Animal / anatomy & histology
- Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Technetium Tc 99m Medronate / administration & dosage
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Gorissen BM, Wolschrijn CF, van Vilsteren AA, van Rietbergen B, van Weeren PR. Trabecular bone of precocials at birth; Are they prepared to run for the wolf(f)?. J Morphol 2016 Jul;277(7):948-56.
- Dancot M, Joostens Z, Audigié F, Busoni V. The plantar proximal cortex of the third metatarsal bone shows raised longitudinal ridges at the suspensory ligament enthesis in normal equine isolated limbs - a radiographic, computed tomography, and MRI study. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1265116.
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