Ultrasonographic findings in 38 horses with septic arthritis/tenosynovitis.
Abstract: Septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in the horse can have life-threatening consequences. The purpose of this cross-sectional retrospective study was to describe ultrasound characteristics of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in a group of horses. Diagnosis of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis was based on historical and clinical findings as well as the results of the synovial fluid analysis and/or positive synovial culture. Ultrasonographic findings recorded were degree of joint/sheath effusion, degree of synovial membrane thickening, echogenicity of the synovial fluid, and presence of hyperechogenic spots and fibrinous loculations. Ultrasonographic findings were tested for dependence on the cause of sepsis, time between admission and beginning of clinical signs, and the white blood cell counts in the synovial fluid. Thirty-eight horses with confirmed septic arthritis/tenosynovitis of 43 joints/sheaths were included. Degree of effusion was marked in 81.4% of cases, mild in 16.3%, and absent in 2.3%. Synovial thickening was mild in 30.9% of cases and moderate/severe in 69.1%. Synovial fluid was anechogenic in 45.2% of cases and echogenic in 54.8%. Hyperechogenic spots were identified in 32.5% of structures and fibrinous loculations in 64.3%. Relationships between the degree of synovial effusion, degree of the synovial thickening, presence of fibrinous loculations, and the time between admission and beginning of clinical signs were identified, as well as between the presence of fibrinous loculations and the cause of sepsis (P ≤ 0.05). Findings indicated that ultrasonographic findings of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis may vary in horses, and may be influenced by time between admission and beginning of clinical signs.
© 2014 American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Publication Date: 2014-07-21 PubMed ID: 25046562DOI: 10.1111/vru.12183Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study explores ultrasonographic findings in 38 horses diagnosed with septic arthritis/tenosynovitis, revealing potential influences, including time between clinical signs and admission, for varying presentations of the condition.
Research Purpose and Methodology
- The study was a cross-sectional retrospective analysis aimed at examining ultrasonographic characteristics of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis, a potentially life-threatening condition in horses.
- Septic arthritis/tenosynovitis diagnosis in the horses studied was based on historical and clinical findings in tandem with synovial fluid analysis results and/or indication of positive synovial culture.
- Main ultrasonographic findings recorded for the study were: degree of joint/sheath effusion, thickness of the synovial membrane, echogenicity of the synovial fluid, and presence of hyperechogenic spots and fibrinous loculations.
Study Findings and Analysis
- A total of 38 horses bearing septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in 43 joints/sheaths were part of the study.
- The study revealed severe joint/sheath effusion in a majority (81.4%) of cases, with moderate/severe synovial thickening present in 69.1% of cases.
- The echogenicity of synovial fluid appeared anechogenic in 45.2% cases, while the remaining 54.8% showed echogenic characteristics.
- Hyperechogenic spots were found in 32.5% of structures, and a significant share (64.3%) had fibrinous loculations.
Significant Associations and Conclusions
- The study identified relationships between the degree of synovial effusion, degree of the synovial thickening, presence of fibrinous loculations, and the time frame between admission and the onset of clinical signs.
- Furthermore, the existence of fibrinous loculations was associated with the cause of sepsis.
- These findings suggest that the various ultrasonographic depictions of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in horses may be influenced by factors like the time gap between the onset of clinical signs and admission.
Cite This Article
APA
Beccati F, Gialletti R, Passamonti F, Nannarone S, Di Meo A, Pepe M.
(2014).
Ultrasonographic findings in 38 horses with septic arthritis/tenosynovitis.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 56(1), 68-76.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.12183 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centro di Studi del Cavallo Sportivo, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthritis, Infectious / diagnostic imaging
- Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology
- Arthritis, Infectious / veterinary
- Carpus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Fibrosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Leukocyte Count
- Metacarpus / diagnostic imaging
- Retrospective Studies
- Stifle / diagnostic imaging
- Synovial Fluid / cytology
- Synovial Fluid / diagnostic imaging
- Synovial Fluid / microbiology
- Synovial Membrane / diagnostic imaging
- Synovial Membrane / microbiology
- Tenosynovitis / diagnostic imaging
- Tenosynovitis / microbiology
- Tenosynovitis / veterinary
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Gilbertie JM, Schaer TP, Engiles JB, Seiler GS, Deddens BL, Schubert AG, Jacob ME, Stefanovski D, Ruthel G, Hickok NJ, Stowe DM, Frink A, Schnabel LV. A Platelet-Rich Plasma-Derived Biologic Clears Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms While Mitigating Cartilage Degeneration and Joint Inflammation in a Clinically Relevant Large Animal Infectious Arthritis Model.. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022;12:895022.
- Vajs T, Nekouei O, Biermann NM. A Descriptive Study of the Clinical Presentation, Management, and Outcome of Horses with Acute Soft Tissue Trauma of the Tarsus and the Association with Synovial Involvement.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 21;12(4).
- Chanda M, Klinphayom C, Sungsuwan T, Senarat W, Thongkham E, Kamlangdee A, Senarat N. Diagnostic imaging features, cytological examination, and treatment of lymphocytic tenosynovitis of the common digital extensor tendon sheath in an eventing horse.. Vet Anim Sci 2021 Dec;14:100209.
- Bittar IP, Neves CA, Araújo CT, Oliveira YVR, Silva SL, Borges NC, Franco LG. Dose-Finding in the Development of an LPS-Induced Model of Synovitis in Sheep.. Comp Med 2021 Apr 1;71(2):141-147.
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