Signal changes in standing magnetic resonance imaging of osseous injury at the origin of the suspensory ligament in four Thoroughbred racehorses under tiludronic acid treatment.
Abstract: Problems associated with the proximal metacarpal region, such as an osseous injury associated with tearing of Sharpey's fibers or an avulsion fracture of the origin of the suspensory ligament (OISL), are important causes of lameness in racehorses. In the present study, four Thoroughbred racehorses (age range, 2-4 years) were diagnosed as having forelimb OISL and assessed over time by using standing magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). At the first sMRI examination, all horses had 3 characteristic findings, including low signal intensity within the trabecular bone of the third metacarpus on T1-weighted images, intermediate-to-high signal intensity surrounded by a hypointense rim on T2*-weighted images, and high signal intensity on fat-suppressed images. Following the sMRI examination, all horses received 50 mg of tiludronic acid by intravenous regional limb perfusion once weekly for 3 weeks. Attenuation of the high signal intensity on T2*-weighted and fat-suppressed images was observed on follow-up sMRI in 3 horses. Following rest and rehabilitation, these 3 horses successfully returned to racing. In contrast, the other horse that did not show attenuation of the high signal intensity failed to return to racing. To our knowledge, this is the first report of OISL in Thoroughbred racehorses assessed over time by sMRI under tiludronic acid treatment. Our findings support the use of sMRI for examining lameness originating from the proximal metacarpal region to refine the timing of returning to exercise based on follow-up examinations during the recuperation period.
Publication Date: 2017-09-20 PubMed ID: 28955160PubMed Central: PMC5608961DOI: 10.1294/jes.28.87Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study focuses on using standing magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) to evaluate osseous injuries at the source of the suspensory ligament in racehorses, and the effects of tiludronic acid treatment on such injuries. It suggests that sMRI evaluations can help in determining the optimal time to reintroduce exercise during recovery.
Research Context and Objectives
- The research was conducted in response to the high prevalence of leg injuries, particularly osseous injuries linked to tearing of Sharpey’s fibers or avulsion fractures at the origin of the suspensory ligament (OISL), which lead to lameness in racehorses.
- These injuries, found in the proximal metacarpal area, were studied with the help of sMRI technology in four thoroughbred racehorses within the age bracket of 2-4 years, all diagnosed with forelimb OISL.
- The objective was to monitor these osteoarthritic changes over time, investigate the effect of tiludronic acid on the healing process, and explore how these changes corresponded to the horses’ readiness to return to racing.
Methodology and Findings
- At the initial sMRI examination, all four horses presented three consistent findings: low signal intensity within the third metacarpus’s trabecular bone on T1-weighted images, intermediate-to-high signal intensity surrounded by a hypointense rim on T2*-weighted images, and high signal intensity on fat-suppressed images.
- After this initial sMRI test, the four horses then received a tiludronic acid treatment (50 mg) by intravenous regional limb perfusion weekly for three weeks.
- Three of the horses showed signs of improvement – a decreased signal intensity in the T2*-weighted and fat-suppressed images in follow-up sMRI scans. After rest and rehabilitation, these three horses returned successfully to racing activities.
- However, the fourth horse showed no signal intensity attenuation and hence failed to return to racing.
Significance and Implications
- Note that this was the first investigation providing an account of OISL in Thoroughbred racehorses evaluated over time with sMRI under tiludronic acid treatment.
- The findings highlight the utility of sMRI as a diagnostic tool for examining the origin of lameness in the proximal metacarpal region in racehorses.
- Furthermore, monitoring changes in signal intensity indicates the healing progress, helps inform an appropriate timeline for reintroducing exercise, and suggests the potential therapeutic role of tiludronic acid in treating OISL.
Cite This Article
APA
Mizobe F, Nomura M, Kato T, Nambo Y, Yamada K.
(2017).
Signal changes in standing magnetic resonance imaging of osseous injury at the origin of the suspensory ligament in four Thoroughbred racehorses under tiludronic acid treatment.
J Equine Sci, 28(3), 87-97.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.28.87 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Racehorse Hospital, Ritto Training Center, Japan Racing Association, Shiga 520-3085, Japan.
- Racehorse Hospital, Ritto Training Center, Japan Racing Association, Shiga 520-3085, Japan.
- Racehorse Hospital, Ritto Training Center, Japan Racing Association, Shiga 520-3085, Japan.
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- van Veggel ECS, Vanderperren K, Selberg KT, Bergman HJ, Hoogelander B. The Evolution of Lesions on Follow-Up Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Proximal Metacarpal Region in Non-Racing Sport Horses That Returned to Work (2015-2023). Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 8;14(12).
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