EX VIVOMAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE DISTAL ROW OF EQUINE CARPAL BONES: ASSESSMENT OF BONE SCLEROSIS AND CARTILAGE DAMAGE

Abstract

The distal row of carpal bones (C2, C3, and C4) from eight left intercarpal joints--four from Standardbred Trotters and four from Swedish Warmblood horses--were used to assess the potential of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to detect cartilage and bone lesions. The joints used in the study were classified by macroscopic and radiographic examinations as having normal, mild, moderate, or severe articular cartilage lesions and bone sclerosis. Those classifications correlated well with the appearance of the MR images. Bone sclerosis in the MR images was observed as regions of decreased signal intensity. Upon quantitative analysis of the MR images there was a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in the MR signal intensity from areas where radiographic bone sclerosis was observed compared to areas of radiographic nonsclerotic bone. In addition, the MR images were used to pilot the location of histology slices through areas of interest that were then examined microscopically; hence, the lesions found from the MR imaging examination were verified microscopically. It was concluded that cartilage lesions and cartilage loss are related to the sclerotic state of the underlying bone. The MR protocols developed in this study were applied on five intact cadaveric carpal joints, and it was concluded that MR imaging could successfully be used in the intact joint to detect minor cartilage and bone lesions not visualized by either radiography or macroscopic examination. Hence, MR imaging can be used to delineate interactions between articular cartilage and subchondral bone over time and in vivo.

Recent advances in articular cartilage evaluation using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

“…Bone mineral density is acquired using MRI after noise correction or standardising signal intensity to air but has a low correlation with CT in low trabecular bone density regions . Some concurrent changes that accompany articular cartilage injury include sclerosis and or lysis of the subchondral bone and increased fluid signal in the trabecular and subchondral bone on fat suppressed sequences . This increased signal has a wide variety of differential aetiologies and can represent transient disease or permanent alteration in bone quality.…”

Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, and Radiography for Assessment of Noncartilaginous Changes in Equine Metacarpophalangeal Osteoarthritis

“…W hile magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used extensively in humans for assessment of osteoarthritis, few have assessed it in equine osteoarthritis 1–5 . Articular imaging scoring systems have been developed to assess the human knee as a whole‐organ on MRI, with generation of global scores that can be compared over time and used as an outcome measure 6,7 .…”

Use of magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose the cause of proximal metacarpal pain in a standardbred trotter

“…The signal abnormalities of the psl were similar to those described by Busoni and others (2005) in the deep digital flexor tendon: a moderately increased signal on T1-weighted, dess and stir images, and an only minimally brighter signal on T2-weighted images. The decreased bone signal intensity of the cancellous bone adjacent to the medial McIII palmar cortex in T1-weighted, T2-weighted and dess images corresponds to a decreased fat marrow content, and is compatible with bone sclerosis lesions (Anastasiou and others 2003). The thickening and abnormal signal intensity of the syndesmosis (Fig 3b) may be compatible with chronic desmopathy of the intermetacarpal ligament and/or with bone lysis.…”