Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Foals With Infectious Arthritis

Abstract

The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of foals with infectious and noninfectious arthritis are described. Six foals with infectious arthritis and three foals with noninfectious arthritis were grouped based on synovial fluid analysis results and examined with radiography and MR imaging. Four out of six foals with infectious arthritis had osseous lesions in MR images indicative of osteomyelitis and only 4/19 lesions were detected on digital radiographs. The three foals with noninfectious arthritis had no osseous lesions in MR images or radiographically. Of the six joints that had osseous lesions detected with MR imaging, three had at least one lytic lesion detected radiographically. Osseous lesions in the epiphysis, metaphysis, and physis appeared in MR images as T2W, short tau inversion recovery, and proton density hyperintense foci with a hypointense halo. The same lesions appeared hyperintense in the 3D RSSG water excitation pulse sequence but lacked a surrounding hypointense halo. Most joints of foals with infectious arthritis had heterogenous signals within the synovial fluid whereas all of the nonseptic joints had homogenous synovial fluid signals. MR imaging appears to be better than radiography in the detection of osseous lesions in foals diagnosed with infectious arthritis and may be a valuable screening test for the presence of osteomyelitis.

Comparison of conventional radiography and computed tomography as aids in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in 11 foals

“…In combination as a result we supported our hypothesis. Osteomyelitis in foals is frequently reported . In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of published reports detailing the use of CT in cases affecting foals .…”

Surgical treatment of septic physitis in 17 foals

“…8 Other imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or even nuclear scintigraphy may have been of benefit. 9,10 We believe that in most cases the concerns about irreparably damaging the physis 3 are generally exaggerated, both because the lesions usually involve a small area of the growth plate and because the necrotic tissue is unlikely to play a role in future physeal growth. Concerns over creating a valgus/varus deformity 3 may be also unwarranted, given the possible lack of growth potential in the curetted tissue.…”

Niederfeld-magnetresonanztomographische Untersuchung durchdringender Hufverletzungen bei 10 Pferden

“…Diese wird auch im Fuß des Menschen mittels MRT diagnostiziert und ist durch fokale hypointense Bereiche in T1w-und hyperintense Bereiche in T2w-und STIR-Bildern gekennzeichnet (17,20). Die akute Entzündung des Kochens führt zur Signalerhöhung in den Sequenzen T2w und STIR (13). Allerdings kann die Unterscheidung von infektiös bedingter oder aseptischer Entzündung schwierig sein, sodass die Einbeziehung von klinischen Befunden und Anamnese besonders wichtig ist (28).…”