Ultrasound as a tool for assessment of bone quality in the horse.
Abstract: A simple non-invasive method is described for calculating the transverse apparent velocity of sound of horse bone. This was achieved, both in vivo and at post mortem examination using the metacarpal bone and its covering soft tissue. On 34 post mortem specimens (ie, 68 limbs) from horses older than one year an average measurement of 2802 +/- 37 (1sd) m/sec was obtained. There were changes noted according to age and at different sites on the shaft of the metacarpus. The highest readings were obtained in the proximal shaft where the cortex was thickest. The velocity values gradually decreased towards the distal end where the cortex was thinner, particularly in animals less than 12 months old. The soft tissue component of the velocity measurement was uniform throughout the length of the metacarpus and effectively decreased the apparent velocity of the bone alone by about 170 m/sec (6 per cent). The shortest flight path of the ultrasound beam was found to be through the midcortical region of the metacarpal shaft. A good correlation was obtained between velocity of sound measurements and bone mass. Furthermore partial demineralisation of specimens from the mid-metacarpal region caused a considerable reduction in the apparent velocity of sound. In a series of young thoroughbreds (n = 52) measured in vivo the apparent velocity of sound increased from around 2650 m/sec at six months to approximately 2880 m/sec at three years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1985-03-30 PubMed ID: 3890348DOI: 10.1136/vr.116.13.337Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study presented a non-invasive method to measure the speed of sound through horse bones, utilizing the metacarpal bone both in live horses and in post-mortem specimens. The measurements varied according to the horse’s age and the metacarpal shaft’s location and yielded good correlation with bone mass.
Research Methodology
- The researchers created a non-invasive way to calculate the transverse apparent velocity of sound in horse bones, focusing primarily on the metacarpal bone. The method was applied both in-vivo and post-mortem.
- This study was conducted on 34 post mortem specimens which included 68 limbs from horses aged more than one year.
- The researchers also examined how velocity values changed according to the horse’s age and specific locations on the metacarpus’ shaft.
Findings
- The average measured velocity in the study was 2802 +/- 37 m/sec.
- The greatest velocity readings were observed in the proximal shaft where the cortex was thickest.
- A gradual decrease in velocity values was noted as they moved towards the distal end, where the cortex was thinner. This was particularly evident in horses less than 12 months old.
- The soft tissue component was found to decrease the bone’s apparent velocity by about 170 m/sec (6% approx) and was uniform throughout the metacarpus’ length.
- The ultrasound beam’s shortest flight path was found to be through the midcortical region of the metacarpal shaft.
Correlation and In-Vivo Study
- The study found a strong correlation between the velocity of sound measurements and bone mass.
- Partial demineralisation of the specimens led to a significant reduction in the apparent velocity of sound, suggesting that this method could gauge bone health.
- An in-vivo study of 52 young thoroughbred horses showed that the apparent velocity of sound increased from around 2650 m/sec at six months to approximately 2880 m/sec at three years, demonstrating the measurements could differ according to the horse’s development and age.
Cite This Article
APA
Jeffcott LB, McCartney RN.
(1985).
Ultrasound as a tool for assessment of bone quality in the horse.
Vet Rec, 116(13), 337-342.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.116.13.337 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Absorptiometry, Photon
- Aging
- Animals
- Bone Diseases / diagnosis
- Bone Diseases / veterinary
- Bone and Bones / analysis
- Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Metacarpus
- Reference Values
- Ultrasonography / methods
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Yamada K, Sato F, Higuchi T, Nishihara K, Kayano M, Sasaki N, Nambo Y. Experimental investigation of bone mineral density in Thoroughbreds using quantitative computed tomography.. J Equine Sci 2015;26(3):81-7.
- Antich PP. Ultrasound study of bone in vitro.. Calcif Tissue Int 1993;53 Suppl 1:S157-61.
- Brandenburger GH. Clinical determination of bone quality: is ultrasound an answer?. Calcif Tissue Int 1993;53 Suppl 1:S151-6.
- Kann P, Schulz U, Nink M, Pfützner A, Schrezenmeir J, Beyer J. Architecture in cortical bone and ultrasound transmission velocity.. Clin Rheumatol 1993 Sep;12(3):364-7.
- Kann P, Schulz U, Klaus D, Piepkorn B, Beyer J. In-vivo investigation of material quality of bone tissue by measuring apparent phalangeal ultrasound transmission velocity.. Clin Rheumatol 1995 Jan;14(1):26-34.
- McCartney RN, Jeffcott LB. Combined 2.25 MHz ultrasound velocity and bone mineral density measurements in the equine metacarpus and their in vivo applications.. Med Biol Eng Comput 1987 Nov;25(6):620-6.
- Zagzebski JA, Rossman PJ, Mesina C, Mazess RB, Madsen EL. Ultrasound transmission measurements through the os calcis.. Calcif Tissue Int 1991 Aug;49(2):107-11.
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