title: Ultrasonographic examination of the femorotibial articulation in horses: imaging of the cranial and caudal aspects.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the normal ultrasonographic features of the cranial and caudal aspects of the femorotibial articulation and, in particular, to establish a method of examining the menisci, cruciate and meniscal ligaments ultrasonographically. Twenty hindlimbs isolated post mortem from 10 horses were used to study the normal ultrasonographic and gross anatomy of the femorotibial joint. Five stifles from 3 normal, live horses were also examined with B-mode, real-time ultrasound imaging. The results of the anatomical study are presented. The joint surfaces, menisci, cruciate and meniscal ligaments could be imaged adequately in all the specimens. No obvious variations in shape or echotexture, that might impair visualisation of potential lesions, were observed. The authors suggest that ultrasonography is a potential, noninvasive means of diagnosing soft tissue lesions in the femorotibial joint.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery, University of Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Cauvin
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Munroe
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paterson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D007596:Joints / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D008022:Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary