Ultrasonographic assessment of the proximal digital annular ligament in the equine forelimb.
Abstract: Ultrasonography was used with 6 normal cadaver forelimbs of Dutch Warmblood horses to delineate the ultrasonographic anatomy of the palmar pastern region, with emphasis on the proximal digital annular ligament. Using a 5.5 MHz sector scanner, the thin proximal digital annular ligament was not visible on offset sonograms. Only if the digital sheath in the normal limb was distended was the distal border of this ligament outlined. In all normal limbs the palmarodistal thickness of the combined skin-proximal digital annular ligament layer in the mid-pastern region was 2 mm. The flexor tendons and distal sesamoidean ligaments were easily identified as hyperechoic structures. Distension of the digital sheath in the normal limbs clearly outlined the anechoic digital sheath pouches. In 4 lame horses ultrasonography aided the diagnosis of functional proximal digital annular ligament constriction. In all 4 diseased forelimbs ultrasonography demonstrated thickening of the skin-proximal digital annular ligament layer and distension of the digital sheath. In one of these limbs the distended digital sheath was also thickened. The flexor tendons and distal sesamoidean ligaments were normal. There was no radiographic evidence of additional bone or joint lesions.
Publication Date: 1994-01-01 PubMed ID: 8143668DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04333.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article discusses the use of ultrasonography to examine the proximal digital annular ligament in horse forelimbs, specifically in Dutch Warmblood horses. This imaging technique helped identify issues related to ligament constriction in lame horses.
Study Design and Methods
- This study involved ultrasonographic examinations of six normal cadaver forelimbs from Dutch Warmblood horses. The principal focus of the study was the palmar pastern region, notably the proximal digital annular ligament.
- The researchers used a 5.5 MHz sector scanner in their examinations. This type of scanner, however, was unable to visualize the thin proximal digital annular ligament in offset sonograms.
- The ligament’s distal border was only visible when the digital sheath in a normal limb was distended.
Initial Findings
- In the middle region of the pastern, the combined thickness of the skin and the proximal digital annular ligament was found to be 2mm in all normal limbs.
- The study found that the flexor tendons and distal sesamoidean ligaments were hyperechoic structures, meaning they returned high-intensity ultrasound signals, making them easily identifiable.
- Distinct digital sheath pouches were made evident when the digital sheath was purposefully distended in normal limbs.
Findings in Diseased Limbs
- The study also included an examination of four lame horses, where ultrasonography helped in diagnosing functional proximal digital annular ligament constriction.
- In all the diseased limbs, the skin and proximal digital annular ligament layer was found to be thickened, and the digital sheath was distended.
- The study noted that in one of the problematic limbs, the swollen digital sheath was also thickened.
- Despite these issues, the flexor tendons and distal sesamoidean ligaments were normal, indicating the problem to be localized in the ligament and sheath.
- There were no signs of further bone or joint anomalies on radiographic examination, suggesting the issues were primarily related to the proximal digital annular ligament.
Cite This Article
APA
Dik KJ, Boroffka S, Stolk P.
(1994).
Ultrasonographic assessment of the proximal digital annular ligament in the equine forelimb.
Equine Vet J, 26(1), 59-64.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04333.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Constriction, Pathologic / diagnostic imaging
- Constriction, Pathologic / veterinary
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Ligaments, Articular / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Peeters MWJ, Ott S, van Veggel E, Berner D, Perrier M. Desmitis of the palmar or plantar ligaments of the proximal interphalangeal joint: A descriptive case series. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1347-1356.
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