Ultrasonographic cross-sectional area and mean echogenicity of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons in 50 trained thoroughbred racehorses.
Abstract: Fifty Thoroughbred horses were examined. All horses had been in race training for a minimum of 4 months before examination and had worked at racing speed; 24 horses had raced. All horses were clinically sound at the time of examination. Ultrasonography was performed, using a 7.5-MHz transducer with built-in fluid offset. Videotaped images of the palmar soft tissue structures were obtained at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 cm distal to the base of the accessory carpal bone (DACB). Images were digitized, and each image was calibrated. Values for cross-sectional area (CSA) and mean echogenicity (ME) were then determined from the cross-sectional images of the superficial digital flexor (SDF) and the deep digital flexor (DDF) tendons, using an image-analysis program. The SDF tendons were compared between right and left forelimbs at each level, and from proximal to distal on each limb, as were the DDF tendons. The relation between the SDF and DDF tendons for the same forelimb was determined at each level. There were no significant differences in CSA or ME at equivalent levels of the left and right SDF tendons. Mean (+/- SD) CSA was 1.01 +/- 0.12) cm2 at 4 cm DACB, 0.95 (+/- 0.14) cm2 at 12 cm DACB, and 1.12 (+/- 0.15) cm2 at 24 cm DACB. Adjusted ME was 2.34 (+/- 0.34) at 4 cm DACB, 2.03 (-/+- 0.38) at 12 cm DACB, and 2.04 (+/- 0.35) at 24 cm DACB. The left and right DDF tendons did not have significant differences in CSA or ME at any level. Cross-sectional area was 1.13 (+/- 0.18) cm2 at 4 cm DACB, 1.01 (+/- 0.12) cm2 at 12 cm DACB, and 1.75 (+/- 0.29) cm 2 at 24 cm DACB. Adjusted ME was 2.60 (+/-0.46) at 4 cm DACB, 2.49 (+/- 0.49) at 12 cm DACB, and 2.50 (+/- 0.44) at 24 cm DACB. At all levels, the left and right SDF tendons were smaller and less echoic than the DDF tendons of the same limb. The SDF and DDF tendons had an hour glass shape, with smallest CSA at 12 cm DACB. Mean echogenicity generally decreased for the SDF and DDF tendons from proximal to distal on the limb. These results indicate that for clinically normal trained Thoroughbred racehorses, there should be no significant difference in CSA or echogenicity between the left and right SDF tendons at equivalent distances DACB. There should be no significant differences in the left and right DDF tendons at equivalent levels DACB. The SDF tendon is usually smaller and less echoic than the corresponding DDF tendon at each level.
Publication Date: 1995-10-01 PubMed ID: 8928940
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article investigates the cross-sectional area and echogenicity of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons in trained thoroughbred racehorses using ultrasonography.
Methodology
- The study was conducted amongst 50 thoroughbred horses who have been in race training for a minimum of 4 months and had worked at racing speed. Of these, 24 had raced and all were declared clinically sound at the time of examination.
- Ultrasonography was employed using a 7.5-MHz transducer with in-built fluid offset.
- Videotaped images of the palmar soft tissue structures were collected at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 cm distal to the base of the accessory carpal bone (DACB).
- The images were digitized, calibrated and then used to determine cross-sectional area (CSA) and mean echogenicity (ME) through an image-analysis program. These measurements were obtained for both the superficial digital flexor (SDF) and the deep digital flexor (DDF) tendons.
Comparative Analysis
- The SDF tendons were analyzed between right and left forelimbs at each level, and also along each limb from proximal to distal. The same type of analysis was done on DDF tendons.
- The relationship between SDF and DDF tendons on the same forelimb was also evaluated at each level.
- It was found that there were no significant differences in CSA or ME at equivalent levels of the left and right SDF tendons.
- The left and right DDF tendons also showed no significant differences in CSA or ME at any level.
Results
- For all levels, the SDF tendons (left and right) were found to be smaller and less echoic than the DDF tendons of the same limb.
- Both the SDF and DDF tendons exhibited an hourglass shape, with the smallest CSA at 12 cm DACB.
- Mean echogenicity was generally found to decrease for the SDF and DDF tendons from proximal to distal on the limb.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that for clinically sound trained thoroughbred racehorses, there should be no significant differences in CSA or echogenicity between the left and right SDF tendons at equivalent distances DACB.
- Similarly, there should be no significant differences in the left and right DDF tendons at equivalent levels DACB.
- Usually, the SDF tendon is smaller and less echoic compared to the corresponding DDF tendon at each level.
Cite This Article
APA
Gillis C, Meagher DM, Cloninger A, Locatelli L, Willits N.
(1995).
Ultrasonographic cross-sectional area and mean echogenicity of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons in 50 trained thoroughbred racehorses.
Am J Vet Res, 56(10), 1265-1269.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Carpus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Female
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Reference Values
- Tendons / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- 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.
- 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.
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