Evaluation of the Variably Ossified Collateral Cartilages of the Distal Phalanx and Adjacent Anatomic Structures in the Finnhorse With Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Six Finnhorse cadaver forefeet were selected to represent radiographically different types and grades of ossification of the collateral cartilages of the distal phalanx. These cartilages and adjacent tissues were evaluated with computed tomography (CT) and high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In CT the internal structure of the cartilages was consistent, but in MRI some differences were noted. The shape of the collateral cartilages and their ligamentous attachments varied. The border between ossified and non-ossified cartilage appeared distinct, with considerable variation in the extent of the ossified area in regard to the cross-sectional area of the cartilage. Ossification originating from the palmar processes and extending in the proximal/palmaroproximal direction, without separate centers of ossification, generally appeared smooth and inactive. Palmar ossification followed the irregular shape of the cartilage. Separate centers of ossification had a medullary cavity or were sclerotic. Presence of a medullary cavity or sclerosis were also found at the base of the cartilages. The incomplete fusion lines between separate centres of ossification and the ossified base of the cartilage varied from congruent and inactive to reactive with marked sclerosis, flared margins and parachondral changes. Incomplete fusion may be clinically significant. Local conformational adaptations of the hoof were also documented with extensive ossification of the collateral cartilage.

Analysis of equine cervical spine using three-dimensional computed tomographic reconstruction

“…Recently, the availability of used equipment and tolerable service cost has allowed a low, but steady, increase in the use of CT imaging in veterinary medicine (Barbee et al 1987;Allen et al 1988;Peterson and Bowman 1988;Ragle et al 1988;Ruohoniemi et al 1997;Vink-Nooteboom et al 1998;Drees et al 2009). CT can produce high-detail images with good soft tissue contrast.…”

“…The CT scanners used in veterinary medicine are designed to use in human patients; therefore, this type of machines is only suitable for foals due to size constraints of the CT gantry and scanning table. Due to all these limitations most of the studies on the horse are focused on technical procedures (Barbee et al 1987), head diseases (Ragle et al 1988;Allen et al 1988;Vink-Nooteboom et al 1998), distal extremities (Peterson and Bowman 1988;Ruohoniemi et al 1997) or with 3D anatomy of the cervical articular process joints (Claridge et al 2010).…”

Computed tomographic examination of the locomotor apparatus of horses – a review

“…Beide Untersuchungsverfahren erlaubten die Visualisierung der Hufknorpel, wobei die CT Verknöcherungen und die inneren Strukturen mineralisierter Gewebe eindeutiger anzeigte. Die Differenzierung innerhalb der Weichgewebe sowie der inneren Strukturen des Knorpels und der Bänder war hingegen im MRI wesentlich besser (Ruohoniemi et al 1997). …”

Ossification of ungular cartilages in front feet of cold-blooded trotters - a clinical radiographic evaluation of development over time

“…In 1906, Witte [2] reported a prevalence of 94% in 1100 draught horses which worked by walking and trotting on hard surfaces in cities. The high heritability of this condition is well known in different breeds [3-7] and traditional hoof examination by palpation has over time been complimented by radiography, scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging [7-11].

Figure 1 Normal anatomy.

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