Ultrasonographic examination of the proximal scutum in the horse.
Abstract: Normal and abnormal ultrasonographic images are presented of the proximal scutum (proximal sesamoid bones and palmar ligament) in the horse. Comparison between anatomical sections, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and ultrasound scans enabled the authors to establish the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of the palmar fetlock. Nine cases of proximal scutum injuries were identified ultrasonographically, of which 4 are illustrated. On normal limbs, the facies flexoria of the proximal sesamoid bones appeared as a thin and regular hyperechoic line and the palmar ligament was regularly echogenic. Lesions of the proximal scutum, that could be documented ultrasonographically, included rupture of the palmar ligament, avulsion fractures of the proximal sesamoid bones and palmar ligament desmopathy. Thinning or degeneration of the palmar ligament, concurrent with osteolysis of the proximal sesamoid bones, were indicative of palmar ligament enthesopathy. Ultrasonographic examination provided essential information for an accurate diagnosis of proximal scutum damage.
Publication Date: 1997-03-01 PubMed ID: 9104563DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb01655.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research study explores the benefits of using ultrasonography for examining the proximal scutum (the proximal sesamoid bones and palmar ligaments) in horses, both for establishing the normal anatomy and for diagnosing injuries. The research found ultrasonography to be effective in identifying a variety of damage, including ligament rupture, avulsion fractures, and ligament desmopathy.
Ultrasonographic Examination of Horse Proximal Scutum
- The study employed ultrasonographic imaging to observe the proximal scutum, a part of the horse’s anatomy consisting of the proximal sesamoid bones and palmar ligaments.
- The authors were able to determine the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of the palmar fetlock in horses by comparing anatomical sections, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and ultrasound scans. On healthy limbs, the facies flexoria of the proximal sesamoid bones appeared as a thin, hyperechoic line, and the palmar ligament was consistently echogenic.
Diagnosis of Proximal Scutum Injuries
- Ultrasonography successfully identified nine cases of proximal scutum injuries. Four distinct examples of these injuries were presented in the study.
- Injuries visible through ultrasonography included ruptures of the palmar ligament, avulsion fractures of the proximal sesamoid bones, and palmar ligament desmopathy, a disease that affects the ligaments in a horse’s legs.
Detection of Further Anomalies
- The study also found ultrasonography to be useful in identifying thinning or degeneration of the palmar ligament, occurring along with osteolysis of the proximal sesamoid bones. This particular condition is indicative of palmar ligament enthesopathy, a disorder of the ligament’s attachment site.
Significance of Ultrasonographic Examination
- Overall, the study concludes that ultrasonographic examination offers crucial insights into diagnosing proximal scutum damage in horses.
- Within veterinary medicine, this improves the accuracy of diagnoses and informs more precise treatment plans for various injuries and diseases within this particular part of the horse’s anatomy.
Cite This Article
APA
Denoix JM, Busoni V, Olalla MJ.
(1997).
Ultrasonographic examination of the proximal scutum in the horse.
Equine Vet J, 29(2), 136-141.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb01655.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratoire d'anatomie, Clinique Equine, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, INRA, Maisons-Alfort, France.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb / anatomy & histology
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Forelimb / injuries
- Hindlimb / anatomy & histology
- Hindlimb / diagnostic imaging
- Hindlimb / injuries
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / injuries
- Ligaments / anatomy & histology
- Ligaments / diagnostic imaging
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Male
- Radiography
- Sesamoid Bones / anatomy & histology
- Sesamoid Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Le Roux C, Carstens A. Axial sesamoiditis in the horse: A review. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2018 Mar 29;89(0):e1-e8.
- Peat FJ, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Berk JT, Keenan DP. Concurrent radiological and ultrasonographical findings in the forelimb proximal sesamoid bones and adjacent suspensory ligament branches in yearling and 2-year-old Thoroughbred sales horses. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):654-665.
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