Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurement of bone-mineral density in the distal aspect of the limbs in racing Greyhounds.
OBJECTIVE
To determine those bones in the distal aspect of the limbs of Greyhounds with fatigue fractures that have the greatest left-to-right differences in bone-mineral density (BMD).


METHODS
Limbs obtained from 20 Greyhounds.


METHODS
Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the distal aspect of each limb and isolated bones from 10 dogs with a fracture of the central tarsal bone (CTB) of the right pelvic limb was performed. High-resolution scanning was performed on excised bones, and BMD measurements of CTB also were obtained from limbs of dogs without a CTB fracture.


RESULTS
The BMD of the accessory carpal bone and calcaneus was not significantly different from the BMD of those bones in the contralateral limb. Although BMD of the CTB of the entire right pelvic limb and isolated bones from dogs with a CTB fracture was lower, compared with values for the entire left pelvic limb, values for isolated CTB from dogs without a CTB fracture were not significantly different. Metacarpal or metatarsal and thoracic or pelvic limb significantly affected BMD for measurements of the entire limb and isolated bones. Left-to-right differences in BMD were greatest for metacarpal 5.


CONCLUSIONS
Asymmetric adaptive remodeling of metacarpal 5 can be detected by DXA. The potentially confounding effects of CTB fracture and unknown racing history made it difficult to interpret BMD changes in the CTB of these specimens. Densitometry could be developed as an in vivo assessment for risk of fractures in racing Greyhounds.
Emmerson
T D
TD
The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
Lawes
T J
TJ
Goodship
A E
AE
Rueux-Mason
C
C
Muir
P
P
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012420:Running