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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Radiol Ultrasound / Ultrasonographic assessment of equine metacarpal cartilage t...
Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2024; doi: 10.1111/vru.13444

Ultrasonographic assessment of equine metacarpal cartilage thickness is more accurate than computed tomographic arthrography.

Abstract: Articular cartilage can be directly imaged using ultrasonography. The fetlock is a common site of osteochondrosis, with the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal bone most commonly affected. In osteochondrosis, cartilage thickening may be an initial finding. This postmortem study investigated the ability of ultrasonography to accurately measure the dorsodistal articular cartilage of the third metacarpal bone in young horses, compared to computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) and histological measurements. A total of 33 metacarpophalangeal joints from 18 horses between the ages of 12 days and 10 months old were imaged ultrasonographically and with CTA and sectioned and measured using histology. Imaging measurements were made by two observers. Despite overall weak agreement between ultrasonography and histology, the best agreement was at the distal aspect of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal bone. Interobserver agreement at this site was also moderate. CTA showed poor agreement overall with histology. Cartilage thickness decreased with age on ultrasonography, CTA, and histology. In conclusion, ultrasonography is a more accurate imaging modality than CTA in the assessment of cartilage in young horses.
© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.
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Publication Date: 2024-10-04 PubMed ID: 39367616DOI: 10.1111/vru.13444Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research compares the effectiveness of using ultrasonography to computed tomographic arthrography for accurately measuring cartilage thickness in young horses. The findings suggest that ultrasonography performs better than computed tomographic arthrography in this regard.

Objective and Methods

  • The study’s primary objective was to find the most effective imaging method for diagnosing osteochondrosis, a joint disease that frequently affects horses and is characterized by cartilage thickening. The focus was on the dorsodistal articular cartilage of the third metacarpal bone.
  • Postmortem imaging was conducted on 33 metacarpophalangeal joints from 18 horses of varying ages, ranging from 12 days to 10 months old.
  • Both ultrasonography and computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) were used on each joint, and the results were compared to measurements obtained through histological methods.
  • The measured results were observed and recorded by two separate parties for the purpose of interobserver agreement.

Evaluation and Comparison

  • The results indicated that ultrasonography had the best agreement at the distal aspect of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal bone.
  • Despite the overall weak agreement between ultrasonography and histology, ultrasonography still had the highest interobserver agreement.
  • Computed tomographic arthrography (CTA), however, showed poor agreement with histology, making it a less reliable tool for measuring cartilage thickness.
  • Another observation made during the study was that cartilage thickness decreased with age when observed using any of the three methods: ultrasonography, CTA, and histology.

Conclusion

  • Based on the results of their study, the researchers concluded that ultrasonography surpasses CTA as the more reliable imaging method for accurately assessing cartilage thickness in the forelimb fetlock joints of young horses.
  • Though improvements could still be made, particularly regarding better agreement with histological findings, ultrasonography offers a valuable diagnostic tool in identifying the early stages of conditions like osteochondrosis in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Hoey S, Fogarty U, McAllister H, Puggioni A, Cloak B, Richard H, Skelly C, Laverty S. (2024). Ultrasonographic assessment of equine metacarpal cartilage thickness is more accurate than computed tomographic arthrography. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13444

Publication

Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
ISSN: 1740-8261
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Hoey, Seamus
  • Equine Clinical Studies, Diagnostic Imaging and Anaesthesia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Fogarty, Ursula
  • Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Kildare, Ireland.
McAllister, Hester
  • Equine Clinical Studies, Diagnostic Imaging and Anaesthesia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Puggioni, Antonella
  • Equine Clinical Studies, Diagnostic Imaging and Anaesthesia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Cloak, Brian
  • Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Richard, Hélène
  • Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St. Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.
Skelly, Cliona
  • Equine Clinical Studies, Diagnostic Imaging and Anaesthesia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Laverty, Sheila
  • Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St. Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.

Grant Funding

  • National Science and Engineering Council of Canada
  • the Thu00e9Cell network (cell and tissue therapy) - FRQS (Fond de Recherche Quebec - Sante)

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