Comparison Between Ultrasonographic and Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in the Podotrochlear Apparatus of Horses With Foot Pain

• Published in: Frontiers in veterinary science Vol. 8; p. 675180
• Main Authors: Evrard, Laurence, Joostens, Zoë, Vandersmissen, Maxime, Audigié, Fabrice, Busoni, Valeria
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers 05-07-2021; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: equine; foot pain; Life sciences; MRI; Médecine vétérinaire & santé animale; navicular syndrome; Sciences du vivant; ultrasound; Veterinary medicine & animal health; Veterinary Science
• ISSN: 2297-1769; 2297-1769
• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.675180

This prospective study aimed to blindly compare the ultrasonographic and standing magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) findings in deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), navicular bone, and navicular bursa in horses with foot pain, positive digital analgesia, and without definitive radiographic diagnosis. Ultrasonography detected more DDFT abnormalities (32/34 feet vs. 27/34 with sMRI) but identified less palmar navicular abnormalities (23/34 feet vs. 30/34 with sMRI). In suprasesamoidean DDFT lesions, which were mainly dorsally located, changes in echogenicity did not correspond to a particular pattern of sMRI signal change. Transcuneal ultrasonography did not allow assessment of morphology and extent of distal DDFT lesions, and sporadically discriminated the affected lobe compared to sMRI. Defects of the palmar compact bone were identified with both modalities except a parasagittal defect, which was only seen at sMRI.