Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of the Foot in Horses With Palmar Foot Pain and Control Horses

Abstract

Palmar foot pain is a common cause of lameness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to detect damage in all tissues of the equine foot, but an understanding of the differences in magnetic resonance (MR) images between feet from horses with and without palmar foot pain is required. This study aimed to describe MR findings in feet from horses with no history of foot-related lameness, and to compare these with MR findings in horses with lameness improved by palmar digital local analgesia. Thirty-four limbs from horses euthanized with a clinical diagnosis of navicular syndrome (ameness >2 months duration, positive response to palmar digital nerve blocks and absence of other forelimb problems) (Group L), and 25 feet from age-matched horses with no history of foot pain (Group N) were examined. For each anatomic structure, MR signal intensity and homogeneity, size, definition of margins, and relationships with other structures were described. Alterations in MR signal intensity and homogeneity were graded as mild, moderate, or severe and compared between Groups L and N. Results revealed that there were significant differences in MR images between Groups N and L. Multiple moderate-severe MR signal changes were present in 91% of limbs from Group L and moderate (none were graded severe) in 27% of limbs from Group N. In most Group L limbs, more than three structures and frequently six to eight structures were abnormal. Concomitant abnormalities involved most frequently the deep digital flexor tendon, distal sesamoidean impar ligament, navicular bone, collateral sesamoidean ligament, and navicular bursa (with significant associations in severity grade between these structures), sometimes with involvement of the distal interphalangeal joint and/or its collateral ligaments. It was concluded that findings on MR images were different between horses with and without foot pain, and that pain localized to the foot was associated with MR changes in a variety of structures, indicating that damage to several structures may occur concurrently and that MR imaging was useful for evaluation of foot pain.

Clodronate disodium for treatment of clinical signs of navicular disease – a double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial

“…Changes associated with bone remodeling have been well described, including bone resorption seen as radiolucent areas on radiographs, sclerosis of the flexor compact bone and spongiosa and entheseous new bone on the proximal border of the navicular bone (Dyson 2008, Verschooten et al 1989, Pool et al 1989. More recently, studies using MRI have further added to the understanding of the different changes that occur in the navicular bone as well as the surrounding soft tissues (Murray et al 2006, Dyson et al 2011. Navicular disease cannot be readily cured, and treatment has focused on supportive therapies including rest, corrective shoeing, and anti-inflammatory medications (Schoonover et al 2005, Belknap 2010).…”

Severe supracondylar lysis of the third metatarsal bone due to intra‐articular haemorrhage with similarities to human pigmented villonodular synovitis: A differential diagnosis to intra‐articular neoplasia

“…The area of hyperintense signal in the plantaromedial cortex of MtIII was visible in all image weightings indicating bone oedema, necrosis, fibrosis or inflammation at this level adjacent to the mass (Murray et al . ). This abnormal signal raised further concerns regarding the integrity of MtIII; therefore, the gelding was recovered from anaesthesia in a distal limb cast in order to decrease the risk of fracture (Booth et al .…”

Morfometría, Planimetría y Estereología en el Hueso Sesamoídeo Distal en Manos de Equinos con y sin Síndrome Navicular

“…Nuestros resultados coinciden con lo reportado por Murray et al (2006) quienes utilizaron la resonancia nuclear magnética para evaluar el HSD, y en cuyo estudio no se observó diferencias en la morfología macroscópica entre equinos con y sin SN. Sin embargo, no concuerdan con lo reportado por Waguespack & Hanson, Dyson et al, y Komosa et al quienes describen variaciones morfológicas durante el desarrollo y curso del SN.…”