While articular cartilage changes are considered to be one of the initial events in the pathological cascade leading to osteoarthritis, these changes remain difficult to detect using conventional diagnostic imaging modalities such as plain radiography. The aim of this prospective, experimental, methods comparison study was to compare the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arthrography, computed tomography (CT), and CT arthrography in the detection of artificially induced articular cartilage defects in the equine carpal joints. Defects were created in the antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal joint using curettage by a board-certified equine surgeon. Normal articular cartilage thickness varied from a maximum of 1.22 mm at the level of the distal aspect of the radius to a minimum of 0.17 mm in the proximal articular surface of the third carpal bone. Regarding cartilaginous defect measurements the remaining cartilaginous bed range from a maximum of 0.776 mm in the partial thickness defects, and 0 mm (defect reaches the subchondral bone) when total thickness defect were made. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed followed by CT arthrography and magnetic resonance arthrography after antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal intraarticular contrast administration. All images were reviewed by two board-certified veterinary radiologists, both of whom were blinded to the location, presence of, and thickness of the cartilage defects. A total number of 72 lesions in nine limbs were created. Mean sensitivity for localizing cartilage defects varied between imaging modalities with CT arthrography showing the best sensitivity (69.9%), followed by magnetic resonance arthrography (53.5%), MRI (33.3%), and CT (18.1%) respectively. The addition of contrast arthrography in both magnetic resonance and CT improved the rate of cartilage lesion detection although no statistical significance was found. Computed tomographic arthrography displayed the best sensitivity for detecting articular cartilage defects in the equine antebrachiocarpal and middle-carpal joints, compared to magnetic resonance arthrography, MRI, and CT.

OBJECTIVE To determine the diagnostic performance of computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting artificial meniscal, meniscotibial ligament (MTL) lesions and cruciate ligament (CL) lesions in horses. STUDY DESIGN Ex vivo controlled laboratory study. ANIMALS Nineteen stifles from adult horses. METHODS Stablike defects (n = 84) (16 mm long, 10 mm deep) were created in the menisci (n = 35), CLs (n = 24), and MTLs (n = 25) via arthroscopy prior to MRI and CTA (80 mL contrast at 85 mg/mL per joint). Two radiologists, unaware of the lesions, reached a consensus regarding the presence of lesions, based on 2 reviews of each study. Sensitivity and specificity of MRI and CTA were determined using arthroscopy as a reference and compared with McNemar's tests. RESULTS The sensitivity and specificity of MRI (41% and 86% respectively) and CTA (32% and 90% respectively) did not differ (P = .65). The sensitivity (MRI: 24%‐50%; CTA:19%‐40%) and specificity (MRI: 75%‐92%; CTA 75%‐100%) of imaging modalities did not differ when detecting lesions of the menisci, MTLs, and CLs (P = .1‐1.0). The highest sensitivities were achieved when MTLs were evaluated with MRI (50%) and CLs with both modalities (40%). CONCLUSIONS The diagnostic performance of CTA was comparable with that of MRI, with a low to moderate sensitivity and high specificity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Computed tomographic arthrography should be considered as an adjunct to diagnose CL injuries. This is important for equine clinicians, as the CL cannot be visualized adequately using basic imaging techniques preoperatively.

Summary Wry nose (campylorrhinus lateralis) in foals leads to breathing and weaning problems as well as reduced performance. The objective of this retrospective study was to describe a new gingival approach for, and report the outcome after, surgical correction of wry nose in two foals. Two young foals with wry nose were surgically treated using a gingival approach. Osteotomy of the incisive and maxillary bones was carried out, and a 3.5‐mm locking compression plate (LCP) with screws was inserted in the incisive and maxillary bones and in several teeth to stabilise the gap. The rostral part of the nasal septum was resected, and osteotomy and plate fixation were used to correct the nasal bone deviation. A 2.4‐mm UniLOCK plate was used in one foal and 2.7‐mm LCP in the other. Respiratory difficulties and facial malformation were markedly reduced in both foals. The existing brachygnathia superior and nasal bone deviation could not be completely eliminated. Main limitation was the small sample size of only two foals. In conclusion surgical correction of wry nose through a gingival approach resulted in a good outcome with a significant reduction in the deviation and associated clinical signs.

The use of an LCP for ventral cervical vertebral fusion is associated with good clinical results. However, a careful surgical technique is required to further reduce the complication rate.