Retrospective study of scintigraphic and radiological findings in 21 cases of enostosis-like lesions in horses.

The study involves a review of cases in a UK-based veterinary surgery where horses exhibited “enostosis-like lesions,” which are areas of increased bone density. Analyses were made based on radiological and scintigraphic evidence obtained from 2000 to 2008. The study findings suggest that these lesions may cause lameness in affected horses but can resolve over time with conservative treatment.

Overview

• The research focused on cases of lameness in horses that were admitted to a UK veterinary surgery between 2000 and 2008. The condition of interest was enostosis-like lesions (ELLs), indicators of increased bone density.
• The researchers identified 21 horses that had both scintigraphic and radiological evidence of ELLs. They found that hindlimbs were more frequently affected than forelimbs, but there was no difference noted between the right and left limbs.

Findings

• A total of 68 individual ELLs were discovered in 57 long bones, implicating these lesions as a possible cause of lameness.
• In 15 out of the 21 horses (around 71%), the lameness was attributed to these ELLs. In other cases, these ELLs were incidental – that is, discovered while investigating other conditions.
• Repeat examinations were conducted for five horses, out of which four showed the development of new lesions in the same or different limbs, indicating that ELLs can recur or develop in different locations.

Treatment and Outcome

• All 18 horses for which follow-up information was available were given conservative treatment i.e., therapeutic exercise, and rest, rather than invasive medical or surgical interventions.
• These horses returned to soundness (i.e., healthy condition) after varying periods, showing that ELLs can be effectively managed with conservative measures.
• In the case of thoroughbred horses, they performed at a similar level following the resolution of ELLs as they did before the condition was diagnosed – implying that the presence of ELLs does not have lasting detrimental effects on the horse’s performance.

The research provides useful insights into the prevalence, treatment, and prognosis of ELLs in horses, which could be valuable for veterinary care practices.