Ultrasound Morphometry and Mean Echogenicity of Digital Flexor Tendons, Suspensory Ligament, and Accessory Ligament of Digital Deep Flexor Tendon in Gaited Horses.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the sonographic characteristics of the digital flexor tendons and ligaments of the palmar/plantar of the metacarpal and metatarsal regions in gaited horses, as well as to establish normal reference ultrasound values for Mangalarga Marchador (MM) and Campeiro breeds. Transverse sonographic images were obtained of 50 adult and healthy horses from the MM (n = 25) and Campeiro (n = 25) breeds. The images were taken in six metacarpal/metatarsal zones, and the following measurements were taken: transverse area, circumference, dorsopalmar/plantar length, lateromedial length, and mean echogenicity. Differences were observed between breeds in the fore- and hindlimbs, and, even when not significant, the Campeiro breed tended to have higher values for most variables and structures. Variations between zones and between structures in the same zone followed a similar trend in both breeds for all variables. In addition, the dimensions and variations between zones and structures were different between the fore- and hindlimbs, highlighting the need for specific values for the digital flexor tendons and ligaments of the metatarsal plantar region. In conclusion, the digital flexor tendons, suspensory ligaments, and accessory ligaments of the digital deep flexor tendon are influenced by the breed factor in gaited horses, and they are different between the fore- and hindlimbs.
Publication Date: 2023-04-20 PubMed ID: 37106973PubMed Central: PMC10135043DOI: 10.3390/ani13081411Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the differences in sonographic characteristics of certain tendons and ligaments in Mangalarga Marchador and Campeiro breed horses. It concludes that the breed of horse affects these structures and that there are notable differences between forelimbs and hindlimbs.
Study Overview
The aim of this study was to examine and compare the sonographic characteristics – the visibility of structures in ultrasound imaging – of various tendons and ligaments in different breeds of gaited horses. Two specific brazilian horse breeds were chosen for this study: Mangalarga Marchador (MM) and Campeiro.
Methodology
- Researchers gathered ultrasound images of 50 adult horses, 25 from each of the aforementioned breeds.
- The images were specifically taken of the metacarpal/metatarsal regions. In a horse, these areas correlate to the human hand and foot.
- Measurements such as transverse area, circumference, dorsopalmar/plantar length, lateromedial length, and mean echogenicity were taken. Echogenicity, in this context, would be the brightness or darkness of an image yielded by an ultrasound, indicative of the structure’s composition.
Findings
- The study found noticeable differences in the sonographic characteristics between the different horse breeds in both the forelimbs and hindlimbs.
- The Campeiro breed, despite non-significant differences, showed a tendency to have higher values for most measurements and structures.
- The variations between different zones and structures within each zone showed a similar trend for both breeds, indicating consistency in breed-specific characteristics.
- The study also found that the dimensions and variations between zones and structures of the forelimbs and hindlimbs were not identical, enforcing a need for breed and limb specific reference values.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it was established that the breed factor influences the appearance and dimensions of the digital flexor tendons, suspensory ligaments, and accessory ligaments of the digital deep flexor tendon in gaited horses. Specific values are needed for these structures in different breeds due to observable differences, particularly when comparing forelimbs and hindlimbs.
Cite This Article
APA
Schade J, de Souza AF, Vincensi LC, Müller TR, Fonteque JH.
(2023).
Ultrasound Morphometry and Mean Echogenicity of Digital Flexor Tendons, Suspensory Ligament, and Accessory Ligament of Digital Deep Flexor Tendon in Gaited Horses.
Animals (Basel), 13(8).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081411 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agroveterinary Sciences Center, Santa Catarina State University, Lages 2007, SC, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agroveterinary Sciences Center, Santa Catarina State University, Lages 2007, SC, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agroveterinary Sciences Center, Santa Catarina State University, Lages 2007, SC, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agroveterinary Sciences Center, Santa Catarina State University, Lages 2007, SC, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agroveterinary Sciences Center, Santa Catarina State University, Lages 2007, SC, Brazil.
Grant Funding
- 001 / Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.
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