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Structure-related echoes in ultrasonographic images of equine superficial digital flexor tendons.
Abstract: To develop a method to discriminate between structure-related echoes and echoes resulting from interference, as observed in transverse ultrasonographic images of equine superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons. Methods: 2 normal (injury-free) SDF tendons obtained from a 3-year-old Thoroughbred and a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood horse. Methods: Tendons were mounted in a custom-made device that permitted exact transverse and perpendicular sequential scanning with precise steps of 0.5 mm along the long axis of the tendon. Photographs of transverse tendon sections at the exact scanning locations were obtained. Propagation, reflection, and refraction artifacts were quantified, and an image rectification procedure was developed, allowing exact matching of each photograph with the corresponding ultrasonographic image. A correlation routine was developed that departed from this transverse ultrasonographic image (position 0); this routine added information from images collected at precise distances of 0.5 and 1 mm on both sides of the actual scan location (positions -2, -1, +1, +2). Results: By use of the correlation routine, echoes that remained steady over all 5 images were enhanced and resolved, and constantly changing echoes were multiplicatively reduced and faded. This correlated image could be projected over the rectified photograph, and the resolved echoes matched perfectly with the endotendon septa surrounding fibers and fasciculi. Conclusions: The correlation routine permits exclusive resolution of structure-related echoes, as echoes resulting from interference are faded. The technique described can produce images that depict only the essential structure-related information. In this way, the clinical assessment of tendon integrity is greatly facilitated.
Publication Date: 2000-02-24 PubMed ID: 10685694DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.202Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Anatomy
- Biotechnology
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Study
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Diagnostic Technique
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Horses
- Imaging Techniques
- Musculoskeletal System
- Physiology
- Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon
- Tendons
- Ultrasound
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
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.
This is a study on the development of a method to differentiate between structural echoes and interference echoes in ultrasonographic images of horse’s superficial digital flexor tendons. The aim is to enhance the clinical interpretation of tendon integrity.
Research Design and Method
The research focused on two healthy superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons from a young Thoroughbred and a mature Dutch Warmblood horse. These tendons were:
- Mounted in a specially-designed device that allowed for precise scanning perpendicular to and along the tendon’s length, with 0.5mm intervals of progression.
- Photographed at the exact scanning spots for transverse tendon sections.
As part of the study, considerations were also made for the issues of propagation, reflection, and refraction artifacts. The researchers developed an image rectification process that ensured an exact match between each photograph and its corresponding ultrasonographic image.
Further, a unique correlation routine was established, starting from a transverse ultrasonographic image from a specific position (0). This routine incorporated data from images collected at specific distances of 0.5 and 1mm on either side of the actual scan location (positions -2, -1, +1, +2).
Findings & Results
The unique correlation routine allowed echoes that remained consistent across all five images to be enhanced, resolved, and subsequently identified as structural. Those echoes that varied across the images were reduced and faded, indicative of interference.
The resultant correlated image can be superimposed over the rectified photograph, and the enhanced echoes align perfectly with the tendon’s internal structure of fibers and fascicles.
Research Conclusion
The correlation routine developed in this study enables exclusive identification of structure-related echoes, effectively fading out echo interferences.
The technique has potential to produce ultrasonographic images of tendons that highlight only essential structure-related information. It may greatly aid in clinical assessment of tendon integrity, potentially improving the horse’s health and performance and informing treatment decisions in the case of injury or disease.
Cite This Article
APA
van Schie HT, Bakker EM.
(2000).
Structure-related echoes in ultrasonographic images of equine superficial digital flexor tendons.
Am J Vet Res, 61(2), 202-209.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.202 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Raaphorst Equine Clinic, Wassenaar, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Artifacts
- Female
- Horses
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Male
- Reference Values
- Tendons / diagnostic imaging
- Tendons / physiology
- Ultrasonography / methods
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Pereira CS, Klauznicer J, Maree D, McAuliffe S, Farooq A, Whiteley R, Finni T. Quadriceps strength, patellar tendon quality, relative load exposure, and knee symptoms in male athletes before the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Front Rehabil Sci 2023;4:1283635.
- Jewson J, Lambert E, Sari C, Jona E, Shorakae S, Lambert G, Gaida J. Does moxonidine reduce Achilles tendon or musculoskeletal pain in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome? A secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. BMC Endocr Disord 2020 Aug 26;20(1):131.
- Lawson A, Noorkoiv M, Masci L, Mohagheghi AA. Ankle Joint Position and the Reliability of Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of the Achilles Tendon: A Pilot Study. Med Sci Monit 2019 Sep 13;25:6884-6893.
- Masci L, Spang C, van Schie HT, Alfredson H. Achilles tendinopathy-do plantaris tendon removal and Achilles tendon scraping improve tendon structure? A prospective study using ultrasound tissue characterisation. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2015;1(1):e000005.
- Tsai YH, Huang KC, Shen SH, Yang TY, Huang TJ, Hsu RW. Quantification of sonographic echogenicity by the gray-level histogram in patients with supraspinatus tendinopathy. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2014 Jul;41(3):343-9.
- Masci L, Spang C, van Schie HT, Alfredson H. How to diagnose plantaris tendon involvement in midportion Achilles tendinopathy - clinical and imaging findings. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2016 Feb 24;17:97.
- Kavaguchi De Grandis A, Boulocher C, Viguier E, Roger T, Sawaya S. Ultrasonograph and clinical quantitative characterization of tendinopathy by modified splitting in a goat model. ScientificWorldJournal 2012;2012:472023.
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