Normal anatomic reference of pastern and coffin joints in Egyptian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): A compared atlas of cross‐sectional anatomy, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe normal magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic anatomy of pastern and coffin joints in Egyptian buffalo using cadaveric distal limbs. This study was achieved using twelve fresh cadaveric distal limbs from adult healthy buffaloes of both sexes. These cadaveric limbs were scanned using a 1 Tesla MRI scanner and CT scanner, injected with red latex, frozen at −20°C for 1 week, and then sectioned into sagittal, dorsal and transverse slices. The obtained MR and CT images were selected to be matched with their corresponding anatomical cross‐sections for identification and evaluation of the clinically correlated anatomical structures of the pastern and coffin joints. The difference in signal intensities on CT and MRI scans amongst the tissues allowed clear differentiation of major bone and soft tissue structures of the pastern and coffin joints. CT provided a high spatial resolution of bone and soft tissue structures, however, MRI allowed a better and higher resolution and definition between soft tissues. The current study provided a normal CT and MRI anatomic reference which could help veterinary clinicians for interpretation and diagnosis of the clinically affected pastern and coffin joints in buffalo.

Gross anatomical, computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging study of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint in Egyptian buffalo(Bubalus bubalis)

“…CT images could be used for the evaluation of soft tissue structures (Abdel Maksoud, 2020;Awaad et al, 2019). However, MRI used in the present study provided imaging of soft and bone structures with superior soft tissue differentiation than CT.…”

“…The advantage of CT images providing an excellent depiction of bony structures could help in early detection of the bony changes before their clinical or radiographic appearance (Young et al., 2007). In addition to that, CT images could be used for the evaluation of soft tissue structures (Abdel Maksoud, 2020; Awaad et al., 2019). However, MRI used in the present study provided imaging of soft and bone structures with superior soft tissue differentiation than CT.…”

“…The advantage of CT images providing an excellent depiction of bony structures could help in early detection of the bony changes before their clinical or radiographic appearance (Young et al, 2007). In addition to that, CT images could be used for the evaluation of soft tissue structures Abdel Maksoud, 2020;Awaad et al, 2019 buffalo added that the synovial pouches of foot joints have intermediate signal intensity using T1-weighted MR images, while they appeared with high signal intensity using T2-weighted MR images. In addition to that, Abdel Maksoud (2020) in buffalo attributed this variability of tissue intensity on MRI to some factors either technical, different magnetic fields of MRI, variable acquisition settings and pulse sequence of MRI apparatus, or species-specific anatomical structure.…”

“…In addition to that, CT images could be used for the evaluation of soft tissue structures Abdel Maksoud, 2020;Awaad et al, 2019 buffalo added that the synovial pouches of foot joints have intermediate signal intensity using T1-weighted MR images, while they appeared with high signal intensity using T2-weighted MR images. In addition to that, Abdel Maksoud (2020) in buffalo attributed this variability of tissue intensity on MRI to some factors either technical, different magnetic fields of MRI, variable acquisition settings and pulse sequence of MRI apparatus, or species-specific anatomical structure. On the other hand, these pouches were identified well on cross-sectional anatomy and could not be visualized on MR images (El-Shafey & Abd Al-Galil, 2012 in camel).…”

“…Moreover, CT and MRI are characterized by high‐contrast resolution, tomographic nature and three‐dimensional reconstructed images which enable better differentiation of the structural anatomical relationships (Thrall, 2013). Several normal CT and MRI studies have been dealt with description of anatomical structures of animal digits: bovine (Abdel Maksoud, 2020; Abdellatif et al., 2018; Al‐Kraa et al., 2014; El‐Shafey & Kassab, 2013; Hagag & Tawfiek, 2018; Raji, Sardari, & Mohammadi, 2008, 2009), camel (El‐Nahas et al., 2015; El‐Shafey & Sayed‐Ahmed, 2012; Ibrahim, Adam, & Tawfiek, 2019a, 2019b) and horse (Murray et al., 2004; Sherlock et al., 2015). However, more attention on gross anatomy to be used as a guide for identification of the clinically correlated anatomical structures on CT and MRI is still needed especially in buffalo.…”