Suspensory Branch Desmitis in a Horse: Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Gross Postmortem Findings.
Abstract: Injury of suspensory ligament (SL) branch is a frequently diagnosed problem in horses of different ages and disciplines. This case reports for the first time the ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a 10-year-old draught horse with traumatic chronic SL branch desmitis of 8 months duration. The horse had a grade 3 of 5 left hindlimb lameness with a moderately hot, painful, and diffuse swelling from the tarsus till the hoof. Ultrasonography, both SL branches appeared as enlarged hyperechogenic structures with poor demarcation of their margins and massive periligamentous echogenic materials consistent with fibrosis. Computed tomography showed no osseous lesions but did show enlarged, hypodense, and heterogeneous SL branches with an evidence of periligamentar and peritendenious adhesions and air entrapment areas intermingled within fibrous adhesion. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed no abnormal signal intensity received from the proximal part of SL and its body. There were high and intermediate signal intensities received from inflammatory fluid and periligamentar fibrous adhesions, respectively, around SL branches. Both CT and MRI findings were confirmed by gross postmortem examination. In conclusion, CT and MRI are valuable tools for diagnosis of extensive adhesions associated with chronic SL branch desmitis.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-07-03 PubMed ID: 31443833DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.06.008Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research involves a case study of a horse diagnosed with a chronic injury in the branch of its suspensory ligament, using imaging techniques like ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These findings were verified by postmortem examination and the research suggests that CT and MRI can be invaluable in diagnosing similar conditions.
Case Presentation
- The study is based on a 10-year-old draught horse with a chronic injury of eight months in the branch of the suspensory ligament (SL). The horse showed clinical signs of lameness, pain, heat, and swelling from its tarsus to the hoof.
Ultrasonography Findings
- Ultrasonography was employed to view the horse’s SL branches. The images revealed them to be enlarged and presented imperfect demarcation of the SL branches’ margins.
- There were also significant amounts of periligamentous echogenic materials, which are indicative of fibrosis or the formation of excess fibrous connective tissues.
Computed Tomography (CT) Observations
- The CT scans revealed no bone lesions, but showed enlarged and inconsistent SL branches.
- Evidence was also found of adhesions around the SL, which suggests inflammation or injury, as well as air pockets within these adhesions.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Findings
- Through MRI, no abnormal signals were recorded from the proximal part of the SL or its body, suggesting normality in these areas.
- However, high and intermediate signal intensities were received from periligamentar fibrous adhesions and inflammatory fluid, respectively, indicating inflammation or injury in these areas.
Postmortem Examination
- The findings observed with CT and MRI were confirmed through a gross postmortem examination. This comparison confirms the effectiveness and accuracy of these imaging tools for diagnosing conditions such as Chronic SL branch desmitis.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that CT and MRI serve as effective diagnostic tools for identifying extensive adhesions that may be associated with chronic SL branch desmitis, a commonly diagnosed problem in horses of varying ages and disciplines.
Cite This Article
APA
Elemmawy YM, Senna NA, Abu-Seida AM, Youssef AF.
(2019).
Suspensory Branch Desmitis in a Horse: Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Gross Postmortem Findings.
J Equine Vet Sci, 80, 49-55.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.06.008 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Electronic address: ashrafseida@cu.edu.eg.
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Qalyubia, Egypt.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Autopsy / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Gerdes C, Morgan R, Terry R, Foote A, Smith R. Computed tomographic arthrography, gross anatomy and histology demonstrate a communication between synovial invaginations in the proximal aspect of the third interosseous muscle and the carpometacarpal joint in horses.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:958598.
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