Ultrasonographic characteristics (cross-sectional area and relative echogenicity) of the digital flexor tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region in Purebred Spanish horses.
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to establish normal values for relative echogenicity (RE) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the flexor tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region of Purebred Spanish horses (PBSH), and to determine the effect of body mass index (BMI), age, sex and forelimb on these variables. Transverse ultrasonographic images were obtained using 20 normal PBSH (10 females, 10 males; 2-25 years of age; BMI 132.04-152.25; not in training). The images were digitised and values for CSA and RE were determined for each structure. The suspensory ligament was the most echogenic and the largest structure, and the superficial digital flexor tendon was the least echogenic and smallest of the tissues examined. The tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region in PBSH showed similar RE but smaller CSAs when compared to other breeds.
Publication Date: 2008-04-08 PubMed ID: 18400531DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.01.012Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigates the ultrasound characteristics of the digital flexor tendons and ligaments in the metacarpal region of Purebred Spanish horses. The goal is to establish normative values for these characteristics and to understand the role of factors like age, sex, body mass index, and forelimb influence.
Study Method and Objectives
- The research aimed to establish the normal values for two ultrasonographic characteristics – the Cross-Sectional Area (CSA) and Relative Echogenicity (RE) – of the flexor tendons and ligaments in the metacarpal region of Purebred Spanish horses (PBSH).
- Further, the study sought to explore how body mass index (BMI), age, sex, and forelimb variations affect these ultrasound characteristics.
Research Approach
- 20 normal PBSH (comprising of 10 males and 10 females, ranging in age between 2-25 years, having BMI between 132.04-152.25, and not being in training) were used for the ultrasound imaging.
- Transverse ultrasonographic images of the flexor tendons and ligaments of the horses were gathered.
- The images were subsequently digitised to assess the CSA and RE for each structure in the metacarpal region.
Key Findings
- The suspensory ligament came out to be the most echogenic (reflecting ultrasound waves to a high degree), as well as the largest structure among those examined.
- The superficial digital flexor tendon on the other hand was the least echogenic and was the smallest of the tissues that were examined.
- Overall, the tendons and ligaments in the metacarpal region of PBSH showcased similar RE, but had smaller CSAs in comparison to those from other breeds.
Cite This Article
APA
Agut A, Martínez ML, Sánchez-Valverde MA, Soler M, Rodríguez MJ.
(2008).
Ultrasonographic characteristics (cross-sectional area and relative echogenicity) of the digital flexor tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region in Purebred Spanish horses.
Vet J, 180(3), 377-383.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.01.012 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary School, University of Murcia, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain. amalia@um.es
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Forelimb / anatomy & histology
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / genetics
- Ligaments / anatomy & histology
- Ligaments / diagnostic imaging
- Male
- Tendons / anatomy & histology
- Tendons / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Schade J, de Souza AF, Vincensi LC, Müller TR, Fonteque JH. Ultrasound Morphometry and Mean Echogenicity of Digital Flexor Tendons, Suspensory Ligament, and Accessory Ligament of Digital Deep Flexor Tendon in Gaited Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 20;13(8).
- Buzzetti AP, Nothaft IT, Paganela JC, Franzan BC, Braga GI, Barreira APB, de Lima LR, de Almeida FQ. Ultrasound evaluation of digital flexor tendons of jumping horses undergoing treadmill training.. Braz J Vet Med 2022;44:e004421.
- Schade J, de Souza AF, Vincensi LC, Fonteque JH. The influence of the metacarpophalangeal joint angle on the transversal area and mean echogenicity of the superficial digital flexor tendon and suspensory ligament in gaited horses.. J Equine Sci 2021 Dec;32(4):135-141.
- Read RM, Boys-Smith S, Bathe AP. Subclinical Ultrasonographic Abnormalities of the Suspensory Ligament Branches Are Common in Elite Showjumping Warmblood Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:117.
- Spinella G, Britti D, Loprete G, Musella V, Romagnoli N, Vilar JM, Valentini S. Relative Echogenicity of Tendons and Ligaments of the Palmar Metacarpal Region in Foals from Birth to 4 Months of Age: A Longitudinal Study.. PLoS One 2016;11(7):e0159953.
- Padaliya NR, Ranpariya JJ, Kumar D, Javia CB, Barvalia DR. Ultrasonographic assessment of the equine palmar tendons.. Vet World 2015 Feb;8(2):208-12.
- 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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