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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Positron emission tomography assessment of metacarpal/metata...
Veterinary surgery : VS2023; 53(1); 131-142; doi: 10.1111/vsu.14031

Positron emission tomography assessment of metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures post surgical repair: Prospective study in 14 racehorses.

Abstract: To assess 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) findings associated with metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures at the time of fracture repair and through healing. Methods: Prospective descriptive study. Methods: Fourteen Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 18F-NaF PET was performed within 4 days of surgical metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fracture repair, on both the injured and contralateral limb. Follow-up PET scans were offered at 3- and 5-months post fracture repair. Areas of abnormal uptake were assessed using a previously validated grading system. Results: Eight fractures were located in the parasagittal groove (PSG) (six lateral and two medial) and six fractures were located abaxial to the PSG (non-PSG) through the palmar/plantar condyle (all lateral). All horses in the latter group had uptake in the lateral palmar condyle of the contralateral limb suggestive of stress remodeling. Three horses with PSG fractures had uptake in a similar location in the contralateral limb. Horses with lateral condylar fracture only presented minimal or mild uptake in the medial condyle, which is considered atypical in the front limbs for horses in full training. Four horses developed periarticular uptake in the postoperative period suggestive of degenerative joint disease, three of these horses had persistent uptake at the fracture site. These four horses did not return to racing successfully. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide evidence of pre-existing lesions and specific uptake patterns in racehorses suffering from metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures. Conclusions: PET has a possible role in the prevention, diagnosis, and postoperative monitoring of metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures in racehorses.
© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2023-09-21 PubMed ID: 37732635DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14031Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates the usage of 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) in identifying fractures and accompanying abnormalities in racehorses’ metacarpal/metatarsal (i.e., lower limb bone) fractures. The influence of these conditions on the horses’ racing performance and the potential role of PET in diagnosis, prevention, and postoperative monitoring is assessed.

Methods and Subjects

  • The study was prospectively conducted on 14 Thoroughbred racehorses.
  • The researchers used 18F-NaF PET scans on horses within four days of surgery repairing their metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures.
  • The scans were done on both the injured and the non-injured limb. Further scans were made at 3 and 5 months after the surgery.
  • The areas showing abnormal uptake of the injected substance were analyzed using a previously validated grading system.

Observations and Results

  • Eight fractures were located in the parasagittal groove (PSG), while six fractures were located abaxial to the PSG.
  • Horses with fractures abaxial to the PSG showed uptake in the lateral palmar condyle of the non-injured limb, indicating signs of stress remodeling.
  • Only three horses with PSG fractures showed uptake in a similar location in the contralateral limb.
  • Horses with only lateral condylar fractures showed mild uptake in the medial condyle, an anomaly for a horse in full training.
  • Four horses developed periarticular uptake after the operation, indicating potential degenerative joint disease. Interestingly, all these horses had persistent uptake at the fracture site and failed to return to successful racing.

Conclusions

  • The findings provide evidence of pre-existing lesions and specific uptake patterns in racehorses suffering from metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures.
  • The research suggests that PET scan has a potential role in the prevention, diagnosis, and postoperative monitoring of such fractures in racehorses.

Cite This Article

APA
Bergstrom TC, Spriet M, O'Brion J, Carpenter R. (2023). Positron emission tomography assessment of metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures post surgical repair: Prospective study in 14 racehorses. Vet Surg, 53(1), 131-142. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14031

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 1
Pages: 131-142

Researcher Affiliations

Bergstrom, Thomas C
  • William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Spriet, Mathieu
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
O'Brion, Julie
  • Southern California Equine Foundation, Arcadia, California, USA.
Carpenter, Ryan
  • Equine Medical Center, Cypress, California, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Metacarpal Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Metacarpal Bones / surgery
  • Metacarpal Bones / pathology
  • Metatarsal Bones / surgery
  • Prospective Studies
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horse Diseases / pathology

Grant Funding

  • UC Davis Center for Equine Health

References

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