Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Proximal suspensory desmopathy in hindlimbs: Magnetic resonance imaging, gross post-mortem and histological study.
Abstract: There have been no previous studies correlating high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with gross and histological post-mortem examination in horses with hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD). Objective: To determine if adhesions between the suspensory ligament (SL) and adjacent tissues could be detected using high-field MRI and if collagen, adipose tissue and muscle pathology could be differentiated. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Nineteen horses with hindlimb PSD were humanely destroyed; 12 limbs of 11 horses with PSD underwent high-field MRI. All lame limbs were examined grossly and all SLs were examined histologically. The MR and histological images were graded blindly. Statistical analysis used a numerical Bayesian approach to simultaneously determine a pathology rating and the contribution of each MRI, gross post-mortem and histological observation to this measure. Results: Signal intensity (SI) in the collagenous tissue was abnormal in 2/12 limbs. Abnormalities of SI in the adipose tissue and muscle were identified in 6 and 11 limbs, respectively. Adhesions between the SL and adjacent tissues were suspected in eight limbs, but only confirmed in six limbs. Histopathological observations of abnormal muscle tissue were associated most closely with the measure of disease used in the study and were abnormal in every limb. Gross adhesions were also a sensitive indicator, along with changes to nerves which were observed in 10 limbs. Assessments of adipose tissue signal intensity and muscle tissue signal homogeneity in both lobes of the suspensory ligament were the MRI indicators most closely associated with the measure of disease. Conclusions: Small sample size. Model assumption that all abnormalities reflected degrees of a single disease. Conclusions: Adhesion formation between the SL and adjacent structures was detected by high-field MRI with reasonable accuracy. Muscle and adipose tissue pathology was identified either alone or in association with collagenous tissue pathology.
© 2017 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2017-09-13 PubMed ID: 28857286DOI: 10.1111/evj.12756Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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 study uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify abnormalities in the suspensory ligament (SL) and surrounding tissues found in the hindlimbs of horses affected by proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD). Using gross post-mortem and histological examination, the researchers cross-referenced the MRI findings to understand the common pathologies related to this disease.
Methodology
- The sample comprised 19 horses with PSD in their hindlimbs. These horses were euthanized to conduct a thorough post-mortem examination.
- MRI was used on 12 limbs of 11 horses. “High-field” refers to MRI machines using stronger magnets, providing highly detailed images.
- Examinations of gross pathology were carried out on all lame limbs while histological examinations were carried out on all SLs.
- A blind grading process was used to assess the MRI and histological images in order to avoid any bias.
- Using a numerical Bayesian approach, these observations were statistically analyzed. The aim was to ascertain the influence of each observation type on grades assigned for disease severity.
Results
- In two limbs, abnormalities were spotted in the collagenous tissue’s signal intensity when observed under MRI.
- Signal intensity abnormalities in muscle and adipose tissue were seen in 11 and 6 limbs, respectively.
- Adhesions of the SL and surrounding tissue were detected by MRI in eight cases but could only be confirmed in six of them during gross pathology.
- There was a high correlation between the study’s disease grading and histological findings of abnormally developed muscle tissue, which were present in all limbs.
- Grossly observable adhesions and nerve alterations were also determined to be strong indicators of the disease.
- Abnormal signal intensities in adipose tissue and loss of uniformity in muscle tissue signals within the SL were tied closely with disease severity based on MRI.
Conclusions
- The researchers acknowledged the small sample size and the assumption that all abnormalities were due to the same disease as potential limitations of the study.
- The study found that high-field MRI was reasonably accurate in detecting adhesion formations between SL and adjacent tissues.
- Pathologies in muscle and adipose tissues were identified either by themselves or in conjunction with collagenous tissue abnormalities.
Cite This Article
APA
Dyson S, Pinilla MJ, Bolas N, Murray R.
(2017).
Proximal suspensory desmopathy in hindlimbs: Magnetic resonance imaging, gross post-mortem and histological study.
Equine Vet J, 50(2), 159-165.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12756 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
- Centre for Preventative Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
- Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Hindlimb / diagnostic imaging
- Hindlimb / pathology
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Ligaments / injuries
- Ligaments / pathology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Gerdes C, Morgan R, Terry R, Foote A, Smith R. Computed tomographic arthrography, gross anatomy and histology demonstrate a communication between synovial invaginations in the proximal aspect of the third interosseous muscle and the carpometacarpal joint in horses. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:958598.
- Scharf A, de Solis CN, Sampson SN, Glass K, Watts AE. Suspensory ligament size does not change after plantar fasciotomy and neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve by ultrasonographic assessment. Vet Surg 2022 Feb;51(2):259-269.
- Freeman KD, Adams MN, Salinger AE, White NA 2nd, Barrett JG. Comparison of Two Surgical Techniques for the Treatment of Equine Hindlimb Proximal Suspensory Desmopathy. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 4;15(17).
- Guest DJ, Birch HL, Thorpe CT. A review of the equine suspensory ligament: Injury prone yet understudied. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1167-1182.
- Taguchi T, Lopez M, Takawira C. Viable tendon neotissue from adult adipose-derived multipotent stromal cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023;11:1290693.
- Nowicka B, Torres A, Polkowska I, Jackow-Nowicka J, Przewozny M, Jackow-Malinowska J. Concentrations of Selected Adipocytokines in the Blood Plasma in Proximal Suspensory Desmopathy of Horses, with a Focus on Their Physical Activity-A Pilot Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Dec 22;25(1).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
