Echographie de l’appareil podotrochléaire : étude in vitro sur 30 membres isolés de cheval

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2002), 146(3), 181-187

Thirty equine isolated limbs have been examined by ultrasonography (7.5 MHz probes) using the frog as acoustic window. The aims of the study were to establish the ultrasonographic anatomy of the distal ... [more ▼]

Thirty equine isolated limbs have been examined by ultrasonography (7.5 MHz probes) using the frog as acoustic window. The aims of the study were to establish the ultrasonographic anatomy of the distal portion of the deep digital flexor tendon, to determine the capability to visualize podotrochlear bursa and flexor surface fibrocartilage by ultrasound and to evaluate the sensitivity of ultrasonography for the assessment of flexor surface abnormalities. Because of the relative orientation of the ultrasound beam and the deep digital flexor tendon fibers, this tendon always appears hypoechogenic on transcuneal ultrasonographic images. The flexor surface fibrocartilage is difficult to see if the podotrochlear bursa is not injected. The thickness of the normal bursa is negligible at the palmar aspect of the distal sesamoid bone. Sensitivity of ultrasonography for the detection of flexor surface irregularities was high (90,91%), sensitivity was 84,21%. Ultrasonography using the transcuneal approach could be an useful adjunct to routine radiographic examination of the foot in the assessment of flexor surface irregularities. [less ▲]