Ultrasound-guided coxofemoral arthrocentesis in horses.
BACKGROUND
Coxofemoral joint pain is probably underestimated due to difficulties in identifying hip pain. The deep location of the joint and proximity of the sciatic nerve make arthrocentesis based on external landmarks a difficult and potentially risky procedure in mature horses.


OBJECTIVE
To describe an ultrasound-guided injection technique of the coxofemoral joint in standing horses and to evaluate its accuracy and potential difficulties/complications.


METHODS
Nine mature horses had both pelvic areas prepared for sterile ultrasound examination (3.5 MHz curvilinear probe). Coxofemoral joints were located and penetrated at their craniodorsolateral aspect under ultrasonographic guidance and injected with sterile contrast medium. A standing ventrodorsal radiographic view of each hemipelvis centred on the hip was obtained for each horse to assess the injection site. Horses were evaluated for 10 days following injection for possible complications.


RESULTS
Intra-articular injection was successful in all 18 joints. The procedure was well tolerated by horses under minimal restraint. Mean +/- s.d. needle repositionings required before accurate placement was 1.5 +/- 1.3 per joint. Once the needle was in the joint, synovial fluid was obtained in 7/18 joints. Minimal periarticular contrast medium was detected in 2/18 joints. Mean +/- s.d. ultrasonographic examination time required for coxofemoral localisation, accurate needle positioning and injection was 4.3 +/- 2.1 min. No complications were observed in the 10 days following injection.


CONCLUSIONS
The ultrasound-guided coxofemoral arthrocentesis is an accurate, reliable and safe technique that offers a real time evaluation of needle introduction into the deep and narrow coxofemoral joint space.


CONCLUSIONS
Although this technique remains to be tested on clinical cases, it is a promising tool to facilitate diagnosis of coxofemoral pain, septic arthritis or administration of intra-articular medication.
David
F
F
Département des Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, C.P. 5000, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 7C6, Canada.
Rougier
M
M
Alexander
K
K
Morisset
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006736:Horses; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000662:veterinary; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography