Radiographic and arthroscopic findings in the equine stifle.
Abstract: The radiographic and arthroscopic findings in the equine stifle were compared. Survey radiography, contrast arthrography, and arthroscopy were performed on both stifles of 10 horses. Nine of the horses were euthanatized to evaluate the effects of the techniques on the joints. Techniques for double-contrast arthrography and arthroscopy were developed, and the findings were compared. Survey radiography identified only osseous structures. Double-contrast arthrography of the femoropatellar joint demonstrated articular surfaces of the trochlea, patella, and joint capsule. Those of the femorotibial joint defined the medial meniscus but not the lateral meniscus. On arthroscopy of the femoropatellar joint, intra-articular structures could be readily visualized. In the femorotibial sacs, structures were more difficult to identify. Gross examination of the stifle joint at necropsy revealed no overt effects of arthroscopy.
Publication Date: 1982-11-01 PubMed ID: 7141991
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research aimed to compare the findings from both radiography and arthroscopy in equine stifle examination. Techniques for dual-contrast arthrography and arthroscopy were developed and evaluated, showing various levels of visibility for certain joint structures.
Research Methods
- The study involved both radiographic and arthroscopic examinations on the stifles of 10 horses.
- Methods such as survey radiography, contrast arthrography, and arthroscopy were used to evaluate the joint structures.
- The developed techniques for double-contrast arthrography and arthroscopy were evaluated, with their findings compared.
- For the majority of the horses, they were euthanized after the examination to study the effect of these techniques on their joints.
Findings
- The survey radiography was only able to identify osseous structures within the joint.
- The double-contrast arthrography provided better results, allowing the researchers to observe the articular surfaces of the femoropatellar joint including the trochlea, patella, and joint capsule.
- When it came to the femorotibial joint, the medial meniscus was visible, but not the lateral meniscus.
- Arthroscopy of the femoropatellar joint helped the researchers easily visualize the intra-articular structures. However, in the femorotibial sacs, the structures were more challenging to identify.
- No overt effects of arthroscopy were noticed on the stifle joint during the gross examination at necropsy. This suggests that arthroscopy could be a relatively safe procedure.
Conclusion
- This study underscores the limitations and capabilities of survey radiology, contrast arthrography, and arthroscopy in identifying and evaluating the structures in the equine stifle.
- Researchers have developed and tested new techniques for joint examination which can potentially contribute to improved diagnostic accuracy.
- The observations indicate that the choice of technique depends on which specific joint structures need to be visualized.
Cite This Article
APA
Nickels FA, Sande R.
(1982).
Radiographic and arthroscopic findings in the equine stifle.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 181(9), 918-924.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Contrast Media / administration & dosage
- Hindlimb / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Radiography
- Stifle / anatomy & histology
- Stifle / diagnostic imaging
- Technology, Radiologic / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Desjardins MR, Hurtig MB. Diagnosis of equine stifle joint disorders: three cases. Can Vet J 1991 Sep;32(9):543-50.
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