Longitudinal in vivo cationic contrast-enhanced computed tomography classifies equine articular cartilage injury and repair.

Cationic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) capitalizes on increased contrast agent affinity to the charged proteoglycans in articular cartilage matrix to provide quantitative assessment of proteoglycan content with enhanced images. While high resolution microCT has demonstrated success, we investigate cationic CECT use in longitudinal in vivo imaging at clinical resolution. We hypothesize that repeated administration of CA4+ will have no adverse side effects or complications, and that sequential in vivo imaging assessments will distinguish articular cartilage repair tissue from early degenerative and healthy cartilage in critically sized chondral defects.

Substantial variability exists in the interpretation of survey radiographs among equine veterinarians.

Background: Radiographs are a common diagnostic tool utilised during pre-purchase examinations, yet differences surround their interpretation among equine veterinarians.

Objectives: (1) To determine veterinarians' subjective impressions of a spectrum of radiographic abnormalities regarding suitability for purchase; (2) To determine how veterinarians' years in practice, primary discipline or board certification status influence their subjective impression of radiographic abnormalities, and (3) To determine how horses' discipline, current level of work (working at intended level vs. future prospect) and buyer intent (sell vs.

Advances in Regional Vascular Injection Techniques for the Delivery of Stem Cells to Musculoskeletal Injury Sites.

Vascular injections of stem cells are a pertinent alternative to direct intralesional injections when treating multiple or extensive lesions or with lesions impossible to reach directly. Extensive research using stem cell tracking has shown that intra-arterial injections without the use of a tourniquet should be preferred over venous or arterial regional limb perfusion techniques using a tourniquet. The median artery is used for the front limbs and the cranial tibial artery for the hind limbs.

Comparison of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Identifying Soft Tissue Abnormalities in the Palmar Aspect of the Equine Digit.

Damage to the soft tissue structures of the digit is a common source of equine lameness. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows for the most complete diagnostic imaging of the equine digit, ultrasound is more readily available and less expensive. This prospective diagnostic accuracy study compares ultrasound to MRI for the diagnosis of injuries visible with ultrasound within the digit, including the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), collateral sesamoidean ligament (CSL), and navicular bursa.

Contrast administration via ultrasound-guided injection of the cranial tibial artery results in contrast enhancement of the soft tissues of the metatarsus in horses undergoing CT.

Delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) via intravascular techniques to treat diffuse and/or inaccessible soft tissue injuries has grown in popularity. The purpose of the current prospective, analytical pilot study was to utilize CT to validate this novel technique and provide additional evidence to support its use for injectate delivery to specific soft tissue structures. Of particular interest was the proximal suspensory ligament, which presents a challenging injection target.

A Randomized, Self-Controlled Case Series Evaluating Core Osteostixis of Osseous Cyst-Like Lesions of the Navicular Bone to Improve Lameness in Horses with Podotrochlear Syndrome.

Introduction: Podotrochlear syndrome is a common cause of lameness in Quarter Horses involving both soft tissue and bony structures within the heel region. Current surgical treatment of podotrochlear syndrome addresses pathological changes affecting the soft tissue structures of the navicular region but does not address either edema or cyst-like lesions of the navicular bone.

Objective: The objective of this randomized, self-controlled case series was to determine whether core osteostixis improved lameness in Quarter Horses with podotrochlear syndrome characterized by bilateral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of osseous cyst-like lesions of the navicular bone.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Suspensory Ligament in Quarter Horses Used for Cutting.

Ultrasound remains a mainstay in proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) evaluation. Despite recent improvements facilitating earlier diagnosis/treatment, needs exist for (1) characterization of normal ultrasonographic PSL cross-sectional area (CSA) in specific breeds/disciplines, (2) improved detection of early/subtle changes in the PSL, and (3) an understanding of suspensory ligament (SL) morphology change from work-related stress. The objectives of this study were to establish normal PSL CSA in Quarter Horses (QH) used for cutting via angle contrast ultrasonography, ultrasonographically monitor SL morphology as horses progress through training, and assess the impact of PSL disease on performance (Lifetime Earnings - $LTE).

Influence of Chronic Lameness on Thoracolumbar Musculus Multifidus Structure in the Horse.

The clinical relationship between equine limb lameness and secondary back dysfunction is largely unknown. Proper function of the spine is critical to maintain the integrity of the kinetic chain and attenuate forces from the appendicular skeleton. The musculus multifidus (m.

Examining the Effects of the Oral Supplement in the Osteochondral Fragment-Exercise Model of Osteoarthritis in the Horse.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common problem in horses. Several oral supplements have been proposed as treatments for horses with OA. The object of this study was to evaluate the use of the oil extract from the seeds of (BO) for the treatment of experimentally induced OA in horses.

Complex central nervous system malformations in a Dutch Warmblood foal.

A neonatal Dutch Warmblood colt was evaluated for inability to stand, incoordination and intention tremor. Despite partial improvement in clinical signs during the first 4 days of hospitalization, neurological deficits remained. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a unilateral infratentorial arachnoid cyst-like lesion with ipsilateral compression and displacement of the cerebellar hemisphere, absent corpus collosum, polymicrogyria, suspect leukoencephalopathy, and noncompressive occipitoatlantal malformation.

Radiographic changes of the proximal third metatarsal bone do not predict presence or severity of proximal suspensory desmopathy in a predominately Quarter Horse population.

Background: Comparison of radiography to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help objectively assess the value and limitations of radiographs in orthopaedic disease processes. The tarsus and proximal suspensory origin of the metatarsus are commonly imaged regions for lameness. The knowledge gained by comparison between imaging modalities will aid in improving accuracy of radiographic interpretation.

Dangerous Behavior and Intractable Axial Skeletal Pain in Performance Horses: A Possible Role for Ganglioneuritis (14 Cases; 2014-2019).

Dangerous behavior is considered an undesired trait, often attributed to poor training or bad-tempered horses. Unfortunately, horses with progressive signs of dangerous behavior are often euthanized due to concerns for rider safety and limitations in performance. However, this dangerous behavior may actually originate from chronic axial skeleton pain.

Microfracture Augmentation With Trypsin Pretreatment and Growth Factor-Functionalized Self-assembling Peptide Hydrogel Scaffold in an Equine Model.

Background: Microfracture augmentation can be a cost-effective single-step alternative to current cartilage repair techniques. Trypsin pretreatment combined with a growth factor-functionalized self-assembling KLD hydrogel ("functionalized hydrogel") has been shown to improve overall cartilage repair and integration to surrounding tissue in small animal models of osteochondral defects.

Hypothesis: Microfracture combined with trypsin treatment and a functionalized hydrogel will improve reparative tissue quality and integration as compared with microfracture alone in an equine model.

Longitudinal tendon healing assessed with multi-modality advanced imaging and tissue analysis.

Background: The range of diagnostic modalities available to evaluate superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injury includes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US). Direct, comprehensive comparison of multi-modality imaging characteristics to end-point data has not previously been performed using a model of tendinopathy but is required to obtain a better understanding of each modality's diagnostic capabilities.

Objective: To compare CT, MRI and US evaluation to outcome measures for histologic, biochemical and biomechanical parameters using an equine surgical model of tendinopathy.

Deep digital flexor tendon lesions in the pastern are associated with the presence of distal tendinopathy.

Background: Correct diagnosis and characterisation of deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) lesions in equine athletes allows targeted treatment and improved prognostication.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and character of pathological change within the DDFT in the pastern with concurrent tendon injury distally. It is hypothesised that tendon lesions in the pastern will be associated with tendinopathy within the hoof capsule.

Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Interest in the cervical spine as a cause of pain or dysfunction is increasingly becoming the focus of many equine practitioners. Many affected horses are presented for poor performance, while others will present with dramatic, sometimes dangerous behavior. Understanding and distinguishing the different types of neck pain is a starting point to comprehending how the clinical presentations can vary so greatly.

Multimodal Imaging to Identify and Characterize a P3 Cystic Lesion and Pathologic Fracture.

Lameness remains a common cause of retirement in the equine athlete and among hobby enthusiasts. The distal limb is one of the most frequently imaged areas, and recent advances in diagnostic imaging capabilities help practicing veterinarians differentiate normal variants from informative pathology. Although acute, non-weight-bearing lameness is commonly associated with etiologies, such as fractures, abscesses, and laminitis, other uncommon differentials such as cystic lesions and neoplasia might also be considered.

Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological evaluation of equine oblique sesamoidean ligaments.

Background: Pathology involving the oblique sesamoidean ligaments (OSLs) is commonly diagnosed during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the equine distal limb. Presence of striations within the ligament and magic angle artefact can result in an incorrect diagnosis of pathological change. No studies have been performed using histopathology, the gold standard, to corroborate their imaging diagnosis.

CLINICAL CONDITIONS FOUND RADIOGRAPHICALLY IN THE FRONT FEET OF RETICULATED GIRAFFE () IN A SINGLE ZOO.

Front foot radiographs from 22 giraffe () at one zoo were analyzed to better understand causes of lameness in this giraffe population. The herd had a history of front hoof overgrowth and intermittent lameness. Radiographic findings included distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis (OA), distal phalangeal bone (P3) osteitis, P3 fractures, P3 rotation, and sesamoid bone cysts.

Trypsin Pre-Treatment Combined With Growth Factor Functionalized Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogel Improves Cartilage Repair in Rabbit Model.

The objective of this study was to improve cartilage repair and integration using self-assembling KLD hydrogel functionalized with platelet-derived growth factor-BB and heparin-binding insulin-like growth factor-1 with associated enzymatic trypsin pre-treatment of the native cartilage. Bilateral osteochondral defects were created at the central portion of the femoral trochlear groove of 48 skeletally mature, white New Zealand rabbits. One limb received a randomly assigned treatment and the contralateral limb served as the control.

Surgical Treatment of an Osseous Cyst-Like Lesion in the Middle Phalanx Communicating With the Distal Interphalangeal Joint of a Horse.

Subchondral or osseous cyst-like lesions within the distal aspect of the middle phalanx are not commonly reported in equids. These osseous lesions, which can communicate with the distal interphalangeal joint, can result in significant lameness and may not respond well to medical management. This report describes the clinical, diagnostic imaging, and surgical management of a 4-year-old mixed breed gelding where medical management of a chronic subchondral osseous cyst-like lesion of the middle phalanx, which communicated with the distal interphalangeal joint, was unsuccessful.

Incomplete fracture of the talus secondary to maladaptive stress remodeling in a horse.

Case Description: A 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding used for barrel racing was evaluated for acute onset of non-weight-bearing lameness of the left hind limb following strenuous exercise.

Clinical Findings: Nuclear scintigraphic imaging revealed focal increased radiopharmaceutical uptake centrally within the left talus. Subsequent standard radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations of the tarsus failed to identify the cause of the increased radiopharmaceutical uptake; however, the lameness was definitively localized to the tarsocrural joint by intra-articular anesthesia.