Quantitative evaluation of subchondral bone injury of the plantaro‐lateral condyles of the third metatarsal bone in Thoroughbred horses identified using nuclear scintigraphy: 48 cases

Abstract

Better understanding of the clinical manifestations, diagnosis of and prognosis for subchondral bone injury will benefit the Thoroughbred industry in the UK.

Low‐field standing magnetic resonance imaging findings of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint of racing Thoroughbreds with lameness localised to the region: A retrospective study of 131 horses

“…Thoroughbred racehorses may show this pattern of uptake in the absence of clinically apparent MCP/MTP joint pain. Where lameness has been localised to the region, the degree of uptake may positively correlate with the degree of lameness, but is a poor indicator of prognosis and little apparent correlation exists between the degree of radiological changes seen and radiopharmaceutical uptake (Parker et al 2010). For these reasons, decision making in cases of MCP/MTP joint pain in racehorses often relies on the clinical acumen of the clinician rather than in the face of a definitive imaging diagnosis.…”

“…1999; Firth and Rogers 2005). Radiographic and scintigraphic assessment of the MCP/MTP joint is commonly employed to diagnose and manage pain localised to this region (Parker et al . 2010).…”

“…A great body of work is ongoing investigating the mechanisms of injury and epidemiological risk factors for the development of palmar osteochondral disease (POD) and condylar fracture (Reilly et al 1997;Norrdin et al 1998;Riggs et al 1999;Firth and Rogers 2005). Radiographic and scintigraphic assessment of the MCP/MTP joint is commonly employed to diagnose and manage pain localised to this region (Parker et al 2010). However, a definitive diagnosis as to the type and extent of pathology involved often eludes the Thoroughbred clinician.…”

“…Areas of increased BMD appear hypointense on all MR sequences. T1‐weighted sequences have been used in the literature to illustrate the degree of condylar BMD (Parker et al . 2010) yet yield only part of the information regarding the type of pathology present.…”

Unicortical condylar fracture of the Thoroughbred fetlock: 45 cases (2006–2013)

“…Magnetic resonance imaging findings varied in severity with STIR hyperintensity, ranging from mild and focal to more generalised moderate‐marked hyperintensity or in one or both metacarpal/tarsal condyles. Gamma scintigraphy performed concurrently with radiography and MRI in one case confirmed moderate increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU) in the affected metacarpal condyle; however, the degree of uptake did not permit differentiation from that frequently seen with palmar/plantar osteochondral disease and the modality in this case was considered to be of little diagnostic value.…”