Use of multisite quantitative ultrasonography for noninvasive assessment of bone in horses.

This study tested the use of multisite quantitative ultrasonography as a non-invasive method to assess the state of bone in horses. It found that this method can be used to precisely measure the properties of superficial cortical bone in the third metacarpal bone, radius, and tibia of horses.

Study Methodology

• The study used 12 healthy horses and the front limbs of 8 clinically normal horses. Regions of interest (ROIs) were set on the third metacarpal bone, radius, and tibia for in vivo measurements.
• Measurement precision error was evaluated by taking ten measurements from each ROI on 4 horses, repositioning the probe each time. Furthermore, three different operators each measured an aspect of the third metacarpal bone on 6 horses five times.
• For ex vivo measurements, the third metacarpal bones of the horses were analyzed at 9 ROIs before and after soft tissue removal. From those, one ROI of a single forelimb was subjected to 96 measurements using three different contact mediums.

Results

• The measurements found that the lateral aspect of the third metacarpal bone returned significantly higher speed of sound (SOS) values compared to the dorsal and medial aspects of the same bone.
• There was no significant difference observed in the SOS values of the lateral and medial aspects of the radius.
• The tibia registered superior SOS values compared to the lateral aspect of the radius, and the dorsal and medial aspects of the third metacarpal bone.
• The variation in measurements between operators ranged from 0.62% to 3.15% and the variation between operators ranged from 0.78% to 2.70%. This indicates a high level of reliability and consistency in the measurements taken.
• The highest SOS values were obtained when silicone oil was used as a contact medium.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that quantitative ultrasonography in axial transmission mode can be effectively used for non-invasive and precise measurements of the superficial cortical bone properties in the third metacarpal bone, radius, and tibia of horses.
• This suggests that this method may provide a valuable tool for assessing bone health and conditions in horses, reducing the need for more invasive techniques.