[en] This retrospective study reports diagnostic findings in 74 horses with ultrasonographic diagnosis of femorotibial joint damage; it describes the ultrasonographic features of meniscal tears and determines the prevalence of medial or lateral meniscal involvement and of associated synovial effusions. Horses were classified into four groups: with medial meniscal damage, with lateral meniscal damage, with lesions in both menisci, and with no ultrasonographic evidence of meniscal damage. After ultrasonographic appearance, meniscal lesions were described as central degeneration, horizontal tear, partial oblique tear of the distal angle, combined horizontal and oblique tears, or complex tear. Meniscal protrusion or other associated ultrasonographic or radiographic abnormalities were recorded. Of the 74 horses, 54 (73%) had medial meniscal damage, 5 (6.75%) had lateral meniscal damage, 5 (6.75%) had lesions in both menisci, and 10 (13.5%) had no meniscal lesion. Meniscal protrusion occurred in 20 cases (27%). Horizontal tears were the most frequent type of meniscal lesion (26 horses). Complex lesions were found in 6 lateral menisci and 14 medial menisci. Lesions of the cranial meniscal ligaments were seen in 10 horses. Synovial effusion of one or several joint compartments was found in 51 cases (68.9%). This study demonstrates the high prevalence of meniscal tears and synovitis in horses with ultrasonographic evidence of femorotibial derangement. Based on this series of clinical cases, horizontal tears of the medial meniscus appear to be the most frequent soft tissue injury of the equine stifle.
Disciplines :
Veterinary medicine & animal health
Author, co-author :
De Busscher, Virginie
Verwilghen, Denis ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés > Anesthésiologie gén. et pathologie chirurg. des grds animaux
Bolen, Géraldine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés > Imagerie médicale
Serteyn, Didier ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés > Anesthésiologie gén. et pathologie chirurg. des grds animaux
Busoni, Valeria ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés > Imagerie médicale
Language :
English
Title :
Meniscal damage diagnosed by ultrasonography in horses: A retrospective study of 74 femorotibial joint ultrasonographic examinations - (2000-2005)
Publication date :
October 2006
Journal title :
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
ISSN :
0737-0806
eISSN :
1542-7412
Publisher :
Elsevier Science Inc, New York, United States - New York
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