Variation in the MRI signal intensity of naturally occurring equine superficial digital flexor tendinopathies over a 12-month period.
Abstract: Signal intensity (SI) of equine tendinopathies in MRI differs between the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). In DDFT lesions, short tau inversion recovery (STIR) SI decreases earlier than T2-weighted (T2w) SI, while the latter decreases earlier in SDFT lesions, but long-term results using STIR sequences are lacking. Methods: Standing MRI of eight horses with naturally occurring SDFT lesions was performed at the day of treatment as well as 2, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Results: After 12 months, six horses were sound and showed complete resolution of increased SI in T2w fast spin echo (FSE) images, but increased SI was found in STIR images in three horses and persisted in T1w and T2*w gradient recall echo images of all horses. In contrast, hyperintense areas were still visible in the SDFT in T2w FSE images in two horses presenting with re-injury. In the six horses without re-injury, percentage of cross-sectional areas affected and SI decreased over time in all sequences. Conclusions: This study suggests that SI in naturally occurring SDFT lesions decreases earlier in T2w FSE than in STIR images, in contrast to the DDFT.
© British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Publication Date: 2020-07-20 PubMed ID: 32690762DOI: 10.1136/vr.105800Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study evaluates how the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity variations in naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries in horses change over a period of 12 months.
Background and Purpose
- The key purpose of the research is to delve deeper into the understanding of MRI signal intensity (SI) variations in naturally occurring equine superficial digital flexor tendinopathies over time. More specifically, this study aims at comparing the difference in time-course between short tau inversion recovery (STIR) SI and T2-weighted (T2w) SI in SDFT lesions, which could assist in diagnosis and prognosis of these injuries.
Methods
- The researchers performed standing MRI on eight horses with naturally occurring SDFT lesions at various stages: on the day of treatment, and at intervals of 2, 6, and 12 months after treatment.
Results
- After 12 months from the treatment, six of the eight horses became sound again and showed a complete resolution of increased SI in T2w Fast Spin Echo (F2E) images. This indicates the healing process of the lesions.
- Three out of the healed horses still showed an increased signal intensity in their STIR images, suggesting that STIR images might detect changes in the tendons for a longer period after the injury has healed.
- Meanwhile, all the horses continued to show increased SI in their T1w and T2*w gradient recalled echo images, indicating the presence of residual changes from injuries.
- Contrarily, in the two horses which exhibited re-injury, hyperintense areas were still visible in the SDFT in their T2w FSE images, indicating unresolved injury.
- In the six horses without reinjury, both the area impacted by the lesions and the SI decreased over time in all sequences, indicating an overall improvement.
Conclusions
- The study concludes that in naturally occurring SDFT lesions in horses, the SI decreases earlier in T2w FSE images than in STIR images, which differs from the behaviour observed in deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) lesions. This information could be useful in planning and determining rehabilitation periods after SDFT injuries.
Cite This Article
APA
Berner D, Brehm W, Gerlach K, Offhaus J, Scharner D, Burk J.
(2020).
Variation in the MRI signal intensity of naturally occurring equine superficial digital flexor tendinopathies over a 12-month period.
Vet Rec, 187(7), e53.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105800 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Referral Hospital, Royal Veterinary College Clinical Services Division, Hatfield, UK dberner@rvc.ac.uk.
- Department for Horses, University of Leipzig Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany.
- Department for Horses, University of Leipzig Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany.
- Saxon Incubator for Clinical Translation, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany.
- Department for Horses, University of Leipzig Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany.
- Department for Horses, University of Leipzig Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany.
- Department for Horses, University of Leipzig Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany.
- Institute for Veterinary Physiology, University of Leipzig Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany.
- Equine Clinic (Surgery), Justus-Liebig-University Giessen Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Giessen, Hessen, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Male
- Prospective Studies
- Tendinopathy / diagnostic imaging
- Tendinopathy / therapy
- Tendinopathy / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Competing interests: None declared.
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Doll CU, Bohner M, Berner D, Buettner K, Horstmeier C, Winter K, Burk J. Approaches to standardising the magnetic resonance image analysis of equine tendon lesions.. Vet Rec Open 2023 Jun;10(1):e257.
- Doll CU, von Pueckler K, Offhaus J, Berner D, Burk J. Characterization of Equine Chronic Tendon Lesions in Low- and High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging.. Vet Sci 2022 Jun 15;9(6).
- Doll CU, Niebert S, Burk J. Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Adapt to Chronic Tendon Disease Environment with an Initial Reduction in Matrix Remodeling.. Int J Mol Sci 2021 Nov 26;22(23).
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