Comparison of radiography, scintigraphy and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of a case of temporomandibular joint arthropathy in a horse

• Published in: Veterinary record Vol. 144; no. 14; pp. 377 - 379
• Main Authors: Weller, R., Cauvin, E. R., Bowen, I. M., May, S. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Limited 03-04-1999; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Female; Horse Diseases - diagnosis; Horse Diseases - pathology; Horses; Radiography - veterinary; Radionuclide Imaging - veterinary; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; Temporomandibular Joint - diagnostic imaging; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - diagnosis; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - veterinary; Ultrasonography - veterinary
• ISSN: 0042-4900; 2042-7670
• DOI: 10.1136/vr.144.14.377

Diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disease in the horse presents a challenge to the equine veterinarian. This case report illustrates a combined imaging approach using radiography, scintigraphy and ultrasonography in a horse with severe arthropathy of the left temporomandibular joint Radiographs were inconclusive. Scintigraphy with Tc99m methylenediphosphonate localised, but failed to characterise the disease process; ultrasonography was the only imaging method which both localised and characterised the lesion. Ultrasonography proved to be a relatively cheap, technically easy to perform and non-invasive method for the assessment of the disease.