Leveraging MRI characterization of longitudinal tears of the deep digital flexor tendon in horses using machine learning.

While MRI is the modality of choice for the diagnosis of longitudinal tears (LTs) of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of horses, differentiating between various grades of tears based on imaging characteristics is challenging due to overlapping imaging features. In this retrospective, exploratory, diagnostic accuracy study, a machine learning (ML) scheme was applied to link quantitative features and qualitative descriptors to leverage MRI characteristics of different grades of tearing of the DDFT of horses. A qualitative MRI characteristic scheme, combining tendon morphologic features, altered signal intensity, and synovial sheath distention, was used for LT classification with an excellent diagnostic accuracy of the high-grade tears but more limited accuracy for the detection of low-grade tears.

Fracture of the medial intercondylar eminence of the tibia in horses treated by arthroscopic fragment removal (21 horses).

Background: Fractures of the medial intercondylar eminence of the tibia (MICET) are scarcely reported in horses.

Objectives: To report the clinical and diagnostic findings, surgical treatment and outcome in a series of horses presented with MICET fracture and treated with arthroscopic fragment removal.

Study Design: Multicentre retrospective case series.

CLINICAL, ULTRASONOGRAPHIC, AND ARTHROSCOPIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HAIR SHAFTS WITHIN SYNOVIAL STRUCTURES OF SEVEN HORSES.

To the authors' knowledge, the ultrasonographic appearance of hair shafts within a synovial structure of the horse has not been described previously. The purpose of this descriptive study was to illustrate the clinical, ultrasonographic, and arthroscopic characteristics of confirmed hair shafts within synovial structures of seven horses. A review of medical records of the Farm and Equine Veterinary Medical Center at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine identified seven horses with clinical signs suspicious for inflammatory or septic synovitis/tenosynovitis that had hair shafts identified within those structures ultrasonographically.

FEASIBILITY AND SAFETY OF CONTRAST-ENHANCED ULTRASOUND IN THE DISTAL LIMB OF SIX HORSES.

Vascular alterations play important roles in many orthopedic diseases such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and synovitis in both human and equine athletes. Understanding these alterations could enhance diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) could be a valuable method for evaluation of blood flow and perfusion of these processes in the equine distal limb, however no reports were found describing feasibility or safety of the technique.

ELASTOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF NATURALLY OCCURING TENDON AND LIGAMENT INJURIES OF THE EQUINE DISTAL LIMB.

Compression elastography is an ultrasonographic technique that estimates tissue strain and may have utility in diagnosing and monitoring soft tissue injuries in the equine athlete. Recently, elastography has been proven to be a feasible and repeatable imaging modality for evaluating normal tendons and ligaments of the equine distal forelimb. The purposes of this prospective study were to investigate the ability of elastography to detect spontaneously occurring lesions of equine tendons and ligaments diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and gray-scale ultrasound (US) and to characterize the differences in the elastographic appearance of acute vs.

Navigational ultrasound imaging: A novel imaging tool for aiding interventional therapies of equine musculoskeletal injuries.

Reasons For Performing Study: Navigational ultrasound imaging, also known as fusion imaging, is a novel technology that allows real-time ultrasound imaging to be correlated with a previously acquired computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. It has been used in man to aid interventional therapies and has been shown to be valuable for sampling and assessing lesions diagnosed with MRI or CT that are equivocal on ultrasonography. To date, there are no reports of the use of this modality in veterinary medicine.

Clinical and diagnostic imaging characteristics of lateral digital flexor tendinitis within the tarsal sheath in four horses.

Lateral digital flexor tendonitis is a rarely reported cause of hind limb lameness in performance horses. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe clinical and diagnostic imaging findings for a group of horses with lateral digital flexor tendinitis within the tarsal sheath. Equine cases with a diagnosis of lateral digital flexor tendonitis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the affected region were retrieved from North Carolina University’s medical record database.

Elastographic characteristics of the metacarpal tendons in horses without clinical evidence of tendon injury.

Tendon and ligament injuries are common causes of impaired performance in equine athletes. Gray-scale ultrasonography is the current standard method for diagnosing and monitoring these injuries, however this modality only provides morphologic information. Elastography is an ultrasound technique that allows detection and measurement of tissue strain, and may provide valuable mechanical information about equine tendon and ligament injuries.

Validation of a photogrammetric technique for computing equine hoof volume.

Assessment of equine foot conformation is often based on linear and angular measurements performed on lateral digital photographs. However, quantification of external foot conformation requires more comprehensive assessments to capture the shape of the entire foot. Volumetric measurements of the hoof capsule represent a summary measure quantifying foot shape.

Septic diseases associated with the hoof complex: abscesses, punctures wounds, and infection of the lateral cartilage.

Hoof abscesses are probably the most common cause of acute severe lameness in horses encountered by veterinarians and farriers. Most affected horses show sudden, severe (acute) lameness; the degree of lameness varies from being subtle in the early stages to non-weight bearing. There is still debate between the veterinary and farrier professions as to who should treat a hoof abscess and the best method to resolve the abscess.

Nonseptic diseases associated with the hoof complex: keratoma, white line disease, canker, and neoplasia.

This article addresses nonseptic diseases associated with the hoof complex, namely keratoma, white line disease, canker, and neoplasia. Keratoma is an uncommon cause of lameness, which may be surgically removed. White line disease, a keratolytic process on the solar surface of the hoof, is treated with therapeutic farriery and resection of the hoof wall when appropriate.

Clinical, magnetic resonance, and sonographic imaging findings in horses with proximal plantar metatarsal pain.

Sonography is commonly used for diagnosis of desmopathy of the proximal part of the suspensory ligament in horses. However, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been stated to be superior for detecting disease and localizing lesions. In this retrospective study of 39 horses or 46 hind limbs with lameness due to proximal plantar metatarsal pain, the clinical and diagnostic findings are discussed and sonography and MR imaging compared for examination of the proximal part of the suspensory ligament.

Preferential and non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors reduce inflammation during lipopolysaccharide-induced synovitis.

Synovitis in horses is frequently treated by administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which inhibit cyclooxygenase isoforms (COX-1 and COX-2). Constitutively expressed COX-1 is involved in physiologic functions such as maintenance of gastric mucosal integrity, whereas COX-2 is up-regulated at sites of inflammation. Thus, COX-2 inhibitors reduce inflammation with reduced gastrointestinal side effects as compared to non-selective COX inhibitors.

Computed tomographic anatomy of the equine tarsus.

The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed computed tomographic (CT) anatomic reference for the equine tarsus. CT examinations of the tarsal regions from four clinically and radiographically normal adult horses, which were euthanized for reasons not related to musculoskeletal disease, were included in the study. Limbs were removed at the level of midtibia, and 3-mm contiguous transverse CT images were obtained, starting at a level proximal to the tuber calcanei and continuing distally into the proximal metatarsus.

Deep digital flexor tenotomy for treatment of severe laminitis in a cow.

A first-calf Guernsey cow was referred for evaluation of severe udder edema, mastitis, metritis, and ketosis. During the course of treatment, the cow became recumbent and was unable to rise. Intensive treatment resulted in the cow being able to stand for short periods with the aid of a sling.

Risk factors for reduced postoperative fecal output in horses: 37 cases (1997-1998).

Objective: To determine prevalence and risk factors for development of ileus of the large intestine after surgery in horses, identified by reduced postoperative fecal output (RPFO).

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 37 horses that developed RPFO after undergoing general anesthesia for reasons unrelated to the gastrointestinal tract.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of tarsocrural joint cartilage in normal adult horses.

Ultrasonographic examination of the tarsus was performed on four clinically and radiographically normal limbs of adult horses. Particular attention was paid to the articular cartilage surfaces of the trochlear ridges of the talus and the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia. Two separate measurements of articular cartilage thickness were acquired from a longitudinal view at each site.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of periapical infection of the third mandibular molar in five horses.

Diagnosis and treatment of periapical infection of the third mandibular molar in 5 horses was assessed. In 4 of 5 horses, there was a recent history of dental work performed. Diagnosis required multiple imaging techniques.

Drug disposition and dosage determination of once daily administration of gentamicin sulfate in horses after abdominal surgery.

Objective: To evaluate pharmacokinetics of once daily i.v. administration of gentamicin sulfate to adult horses that had abdominal surgery.

Endoscopic treatment of suspected infectious intertubercular bursitis in a horse.

A 9-year-old gelding was evaluated because of a 30-day history of mild intermittent left forelimb lameness. The only detectable abnormality was mild atrophy of the musculature of the proximal portion of the left forelimb. The cause of the lameness could not be determined.

Effects of chlorhexidine gluconate and chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide on equine fibroblasts and Staphylococcus aureus.

Equine fibroblasts and Staphylococcus aureus were exposed for 30 minutes to six dilutions of chlorhexidine gluconate, a chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide irrigation solution, a chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide disinfectant, and phosphate buffered saline controls. Cell viability was determined by trypsinizing the cells, staining them with trypan blue, and counting cells that did not take the stain. All fibroblasts were killed when exposed to 1.

Micrometastases in bone marrow in patients with primary breast cancer: evaluation as an early predictor of bone metastases.

The bone marrow of 307 patients with primary breast cancer was examined for tumour cells by immunocytochemistry using an antiserum to epithelial membrane antigen. Micrometastases were found in 81 cases (26.4%) and their presence was related to various poor prognostic factors: spread to lymph nodes, vascular invasion, T stage, and pathological size.