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Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2023; 64(3); 530-536; doi: 10.1111/vru.13212

Ultrasonographic comparison of the intermediate patellar ligament in warmbloods versus quarter horses.

Abstract: Striations are present on ultrasonography of the intermediate (middle) patellar ligament in the transverse plane, which can be confused with tears. Comparison to the contralateral limb is often performed to help differentiate anatomic variation from pathologic change. The purposes of this prospective, observational study were to describe the striation patterns in Warmbloods and Quarter Horses, determine if these patterns are bilaterally symmetrical, and compare striation characteristics between Warmbloods and Quarter Horses. The intermediate patellar ligaments of six Warmblood horses and six Quarter horses, free from clinical signs of hindlimb lameness and in full work, were examined ultrasonographically. Striation pattern, striation number, and the transverse-sectional areas for intermediate patellar ligaments were compared between Warmbloods and Quarter horses. Striation patterns were also compared for the left and right limbs of each horse. A significant difference between breeds was identified at the mid-portion of the intermediate patellar ligament when both left and right ligaments were included (P = 0.02) and when comparing the right intermediate patellar ligament (P = 0.02). There were no other significant breed differences, and a parallel pattern was the most common pattern type. Two-thirds of the horses in this study had bilaterally symmetrical patterns within the distal aspect of their intermediate patellar ligaments, while one-third of the population were asymmetric. These results show that comparison of the contralateral limb during ultrasonography to determine if changes within the distal aspect of the intermediate patellar ligament are normal striations versus tears may lead to misdiagnosis in one-third of horses, regardless of breed. Other signs of pathology on ultrasonography should be used instead.
© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.
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Publication Date: 2023-01-12 PubMed ID: 36633011DOI: 10.1111/vru.13212Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Observational Study
  • Veterinary

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.

The research paper focuses on the presence of striations (thin, narrow grooves) in the intermediate patellar ligament of horses, as observed under ultrasonography. The researchers compared these striation patterns in two horse breeds, Warmbloods and Quarter Horses, and explored whether any changes found might suggest injuries. Additionally, they questioned the usefulness of comparing the ligament of one leg to the other to discern between normal variation and potential damage.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study had three primary objectives: to describe the striation patterns found in the ligaments of Warmbloods and Quarter Horses, determine whether these patterns appeared symmetrically in both the left and right limbs of an individual horse, and compare striations between the two breeds.
  • The researchers carried out a prospective, observational study, examining the patellar ligaments of six Warmblood horses and six Quarter Horses. All chosen horses were in full work without showing any signs of hindlimb lameness.
  • They counted the number of striations, noted the striation pattern, and measured the cross-sectional areas of the intermediate patellar ligaments for comparison.

Key Findings

  • A significant difference was found in the mid-portion of the ligament across all horses and specifically in the right patellar ligament between Warmbloods and Quarter Horses. However, no substantial breed differences were found elsewhere.
  • The results indicated that the parallel pattern was the most commonly observed striation type.
  • The study also revealed bilateral symmetry (same pattern appearing in both legs) in the striations at the lower end of the patellar ligament in two-thirds of the horses. Conversely, the remaining one-third displayed asymmetrical patterns.
  • This variation suggests that using the contralateral limb as a standard for comparison during ultrasonography can lead to potential misdiagnosis in about one-third of the cases, irrespective of the breed. Therefore, other ultrasonographic signs should be considered for accurate diagnosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Cannon JK, Ellis KL. (2023). Ultrasonographic comparison of the intermediate patellar ligament in warmbloods versus quarter horses. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 64(3), 530-536. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13212

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
Volume: 64
Issue: 3
Pages: 530-536

Researcher Affiliations

Cannon, Joanna K
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Ellis, Katherine L
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
  • Lameness, Animal / pathology
  • Ligaments / diagnostic imaging
  • Ligaments / pathology
  • Patellar Ligament / diagnostic imaging
  • Prospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary

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Citations

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