What Is Your Diagnosis?

Abstract

HistoryA 12-year-old Thoroughbred Quarter Horse cross gelding was evaluated because of a grade 4/5 lameness 1 of the right forelimb. The horse had fallen at a jump during a show jumping training session and collapsed onto its carpi. The referring veterinarian suspected a flexor tendon rupture because of significant soft tissue swelling in the palmar proximal metacarpal area and immediately treated the horse with hydrotherapy, corticosteroids, and flunixin meglumine. A splint was applied over the dorsal aspect of the distal portion of the limb to support the injured limb during transport.Abnormalities detected on physical examination included focal swelling around the deep digital flexor tendon at the level of the proximal portion of the metacarpus and generalized swelling over the medial aspect of the carpus, which did not elicit signs of pain during palpation. Complete rupture of the superficial or deep digital flexor tendons could not be confirmed after palpation of the swollen area. No abnormalities were detected on CBC count and serum biochemical analyses. No abnormalities were detected on radiographs of the right carpus and proximal portion of the third metacarpal bone. Ultrasonography of the medial aspect of the carpus distal to the chestnut and the palmar aspect (zone 2B) 2 of the proximal portion of the third metacarpal bone was performed (Figure 1).Determine whether additional imaging studies are required, or make your diagnosis from Figure 1-then turn the page * * Figure 1-Transverse (A) and longitudinal (B) ultrasonographic images of the medial aspect of the distal portion of the right antebrachium, and transverse (C) ultrasonographic image of the palmar aspect of the metacarpal region 14 cm distal to the accessory carpal bone in a 12-year-old horse evaluated because of a grade 4/5 lameness of the right forelimb. In images A and B, cranial and proximal, respectively, are on the right side of the image. In image C, lateral is on the left side of the image. Images were obtained by use of a 7.5-MHz linear array transducer with a stand-off pad at a displayed depth of 5 cm.

Clinical signs and results of treatment in cats with patellar luxation: 42 cases (1992–2002)

“…1 In contrast, patellar luxation has been reported infre-quently in cats. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] In cats with patellar luxation, the patella usually luxates medially, and the condition may be unilateral or bilateral. 7 Patellar luxation can result from congenital malformations or trauma, and there are conflicting reports regarding the relative frequency of congenital versus traumatic patellar luxation in cats.…”