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Equine veterinary journal2019; 52(3); 435-440; doi: 10.1111/evj.13188

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and histological hoof wall assessment of 3-year-old Quarter Horses.

Abstract: Few noninvasive methods are available for equine hoof wall evaluation. The highly organised wall structures and composition of proteoglycans and collagens may make this region amenable to quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques of T1ρ and T2 mapping to identify pathology related to proteoglycan content and collagen organisation respectively. Objective: To establish normative T1ρ and T2 values of the equine hoof wall of 3-year-old Quarter Horses with histological comparison. Methods: Cadaveric anatomical study. Methods: Six cadaveric left thoracic feet from 3-year-old racing Quarter Horses with no reported lameness were evaluated using T1ρ and T2 mapping. Mapping was performed at six regions of interest at the toe of each hoof including proximal and distal regions of the inner epidermis, stratum lamellatum and corium. Histology was evaluated for standard hoof morphology and proteoglycan staining. Results: T2 values of the stratum lamellatum and corium were similar (42.9 [95% CI: 41.6-44.2] ms and 44 [95% CI: 42.7-45.3] ms respectively), but both were significantly different to the inner epidermis (35.8 [95% CI: 34.5-37.1] ms, P<0.001). T1ρ values for the inner epidermis, stratum lamellatum and corium were significantly different (25.1 [95% CI: 23.1-27.1] ms, 44.4 [95% CI: 42.4-46.4] ms and 50.1 [95% CI: 48.1-52.1] ms, respectively, P<0.001). Histology demonstrated normal organised morphology. Proteoglycan staining was only visible in the stratum lamellatum and corium. Conclusions: Cadaveric study with frozen samples used. Conclusions: Variation of qMRI metrics through the depth of the equine hoof wall was found. Although the highly ordered environment of collagen may contribute to T2 values, there was lack of evidence to support proteoglycan content as a major contributor of T1ρ values. It is possible T1ρ values had a greater dependence on total water content as the lowest values were seen in the epidermis. Additional research using qMRI is needed to determine mapping values in different disease states.
© 2019 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-11-07 PubMed ID: 31598997DOI: 10.1111/evj.13188Google 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.

The research investigates the utility of quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques in evaluating the hoof wall of 3-year-old Quarter Horses, specifically assessing collagen organization and proteoglycan content. Also, the researchers attempt to establish standard T1ρ and T2 values for comparison with future studies.

Methods and Materials

  • The study employed an anatomical assessment using six cadaveric left thoracic feet from 3-year-old racing Quarter Horses with no history of lameness.
  • The horses’ hooves were examined using quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques specifically T1ρ and T2 mapping.
  • These mapping techniques were carried out in six different regions at the toe of each hoof, focusing on both proximal and distal ranges of the inner epidermis, stratum lamellatum, and corium.
  • Additionally, histology was analyzed to evaluate the standard hoof morphology and proteoglycan staining.

Results

  • Findings showed T2 values for the stratum lamellatum and corium were similar, however, they differed significantly from the inner epidermis.
  • Meanwhile, T1ρ values for the inner epidermis, stratum lamellatum, and corium had significant differences.
  • On the histological front, the hoof exhibited a normal and organized morphology.
  • Proteoglycan staining was only evident in the stratum lamellatum and corium.

Conclusions

  • This cadaveric study utilized frozen samples and revealed variation in qMRI metrics throughout the depth of the equine hoof wall.
  • While the organized collagen environment is likely a key factor influencing T2 values, no evidence was found to indicate proteoglycan content as a primary driver of T1ρ values.
  • As a possible explanation, T1ρ values were postulated to be more dependent on total water content, given the lower values observed in the epidermis.
  • A call for further research through qMRI was made to expand understanding and offer more robust mapping values in varying disease states.

Cite This Article

APA
Pownder SL, Caserto BG, Bowker RM, Lin B, Potter HG, Koff MF. (2019). Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and histological hoof wall assessment of 3-year-old Quarter Horses. Equine Vet J, 52(3), 435-440. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13188

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 3
Pages: 435-440

Researcher Affiliations

Pownder, S L
  • MRI Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
Caserto, B G
  • VetPath Services, Stone Ridge, New York, USA.
Bowker, R M
  • Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Lin, B
  • MRI Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
Potter, H G
  • MRI Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
Koff, M F
  • MRI Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Epidermis
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Horses
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Water

Grant Funding

  • American Quarter Horse Association
  • US Equestrian Federation

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Bowkett-Pritchard C, Bolt DM, Chang YM, Berner D. Measurements of equine foot parameters show limited agreement between radiographs and low-field magnetic resonance imaging. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1231-1244.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14536pubmed: 40574279google scholar: lookup
  2. Montgomery JB, Klein M, Boire JR, Beck C, Häusermann D, Maksimenko A, Hall CJ. Synchrotron CT of an equine digit at the Australian Synchrotron Imaging and Medical Beamline. J Synchrotron Radiat 2021 Nov 1;28(Pt 6):1769-1777.
    doi: 10.1107/S1600577521010493pubmed: 34738930google scholar: lookup
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