Osseous lesions in the metacarpo(tarso)phalangeal joint diagnosed using low-field magnetic resonance imaging in standing horses.
Abstract: We report the use of low-field standing magnetic resonance imaging in the standing horse for the diagnosis of osseous lesions in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint that were not apparent using standard radiography. Thirteen horses were studied and all had thickening of the subchondral bone plate and abnormal signal intensity in the adjacent spongiosa in either the condyles of metacarpal/metatarsal III or the proximal phalanx or both. Abnormalities were characterized by diffuse decreased signal intensity on T1-weighting adjacent to the subchondral bone and within the spongiosa in at least two imaging planes; in the absence of increases in signal intensity in fat-suppressed images, this change was interpreted as bone sclerosis. Nine horses also had a diffuse decreased signal intensity on T2*-weighting in the same areas and five had a diffuse increase in signal intensity in fat-suppressed images in conjunction with a decrease in signal intensity on T1- and T2*-weighted images; the increase in signal intensity in fat-suppressed images was interpreted as fluid accumulation. Five horses had a focal area of change in signal intensity within the subchondral bone with apparent loss of definition between the subchondral bone and the articular cartilage. Eleven horses were available for follow up, of which eight were sound and three remained lame. We conclude that lameness originating from the MCP or MTP joint may be associated with osseous damage in horses of any signalment in the absence of radiographic changes.
Publication Date: 2009-02-27 PubMed ID: 19241749DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2008.01484.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Anatomy
- Bones
- Case Reports
- Clinical Study
- Clinical Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Disease Diagnosis
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Lameness
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint
- Metatarsal Bones
- Musculoskeletal System
- Radiology
- Standing Horses
- Subchondral Bone
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This research article explores the use of low-field standing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing bone conditions in the joints of standing horses that are not visible using standard x-ray techniques.
Research Methodology
In this research, scientists employed low-field standing MRI to examine the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints in thirteen horses. The goal was to identify bone lesions, which had not been discernable through standard x-ray imaging.
- The horses under study displayed an abnormal thickening of the subchondral bone plate and irregular signal intensity in the adjacent spongiosa. These complications were evident in either the condyles of metacarpal/metatarsal III or the proximal phalanx, or in some cases, both.
- The abnormalities presented with a diffuse reduction in signal intensity adjacent to the subchondral bone and within the spongiosa on T1-weighted images. The changes were similar in at least two imaging planes.
- In situations where there were no increments in signal intensity in fat-suppressed images, this judgment was determined to be an indication of bone sclerosis (hardening).
Findings and Conclusions
- Out of the thirteen horses, nine also showed a diffuse lowered signal intensity on T2*-weighted imaging in the same areas.
- Five horses recorded a diffuse signal intensity hike in fat-suppressed images, concurrent with a decrease in signal intensity on T1- and T2*-weighted images. This increase in signal intensity in fat-suppressed images was interpreted as accumulation of fluid.
- Five horses displayed a specific region of change in signal intensity within the subchondral bone, marked by apparent loss of definition between the subchondral bone and the articular cartilage.
- Of the eleven horses presented for follow up, eight had recovered and were healthy, while three remained lame.
The research concludes that lameness (difficulty in moving) arising from the MCP or MTP joint may be associated with bone damage in horses of any signalment, even when standard x-ray images do not show any abnormalities. Hence, low-field standing MRI can provide more precise diagnosis of underlying bone diseases or conditions in the joints of standing horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Sherlock CE, Mair TS, Ter Braake F.
(2009).
Osseous lesions in the metacarpo(tarso)phalangeal joint diagnosed using low-field magnetic resonance imaging in standing horses.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 50(1), 13-20.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2008.01484.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30606, USA. cerisherlock@hotmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cartilage, Articular / diagnostic imaging
- Cartilage, Articular / pathology
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Joint Diseases / diagnosis
- Joint Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Joint Diseases / pathology
- Joint Diseases / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Lameness, Animal / pathology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / standards
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Metacarpus / pathology
- Radiography
- Severity of Illness Index
- Tarsus, Animal / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Daniel CR, Taylor SE, McPhee S, Wolfram U, Schwarz T, Sommer S, Kershaw LE. Relationship between CT-Derived Bone Mineral Density and UTE-MR-Derived Porosity Index in Equine Third Metacarpal and Metatarsal Bones. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 31;13(17).
- Yamada K, Inui T, Itoh M, Yanagawa M, Sato F, Tominari M, Mizobe F, Kishimoto M, Sasaki N. Characteristic findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) for severe chronic laminitis in a Thoroughbred horse. J Equine Sci 2017;28(3):105-110.
- 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.
- Boyde A, Davis GR, Mills D, Zikmund T, Cox TM, Adams VL, Niker A, Wilson PJ, Dillon JP, Ranganath LR, Jeffery N, Jarvis JC, Gallagher JA. On fragmenting, densely mineralised acellular protrusions into articular cartilage and their possible role in osteoarthritis. J Anat 2014 Oct;225(4):436-46.
- De Zani D, Rabbogliatti V, Rabba S, Auletta L, Longo M, Zani DD. Subchondral and Osteochondral Unit Bone Damage in the Fetlock Region of Sport Horses Using Low-Field MRI: Case Series. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 2;15(23).
- Boado A, Pollard D, Dyson S. Retrospective Analysis of Suspensory Ligament Branch Injuries in 70 Dressage Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 23;15(21).
- Schiavo S, Beccati F, Pokora R, Lin ST, Milmine RC, Bak L, Peter VG, Murray RC. Lesion Distribution in the Metacarpophalangeal and Metatarsophalangeal Region of 341 Horses Using Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 25;14(13).
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