Septic flexor tendon core lesions in five horses.

This research paper discusses the cases of five horses that exhibited septic flexor tendon core lesions, an ailment that hadn’t been documented in horses before. The paper explores symptoms, diagnosis methods, treatment, and outcome for these cases.

Study Context

• The study focuses on a condition characterized by severe lameness and ultrasound evidence of a central, anechoic lesion in the flexor tendon of horses.
• Between 1999 and 2000, five horses presented symptoms of this unique form of tendonitis. The horses were all performing in different capacities, such as racing and showjumping, and all were males.

Case Details

• Each horse had shown signs of the condition for 5-12 days before presentation, with symptoms including nonweightbearing on the affected limb, localized swelling, heat, and palpation-induced pain.
• The horses were all performance-grade, and four out of the five had competed the previous day before the onset of lameness.
• The illness afflicted both fore and hind limbs among the horses, with three cases involving the superficial digital flexor tendon and two cases involving the deep digital flexor tendon.

Diagnostic Techniques

• All horses underwent ultrasonography upon admission, which revealed peritendinous edema, enlargement of the tendon, and a central hypoechoic area within the affected tendon.
• In one case, radiography revealed soft tissue swelling. Other diagnostic methods included haematology, which showed normal results for two cases but indicated an elevated peripheral white blood cell count and neutrophilia in one case.
• The paper also provided an image of an ultrasound scan showing a needle entering the core lesion in one of the cases.