title: Ultrasonographic findings in 100 horses with tarsal region disorders.
abstract: Ultrasonographic findings from 100 horses (103 joints) diagnosed with tarsal region pathology are described. Results of standard orthopaedic, radiographic and ultrasonographic examination of the tarsal region were analysed retrospectively. Periarticular swelling and/or synovial effusion was present in 100% of the joints, a wound was observed in 14.5% and 76.7% of the horses that were lame. Abnormalities were detected in 69.7% of joints using radiography and in 100% with ultrasonography. Our results show that the main disease process can affect all aspects of the tarsus. The most common ultrasonographic findings were synovitis of the tarso-crural joint (n=52) at the dorsal aspect, collateral ligament injury (n=23) at the lateral/medial aspect, and superficial digital flexor tendon injury (n=15) at the plantar aspect. Multiple ultrasonographic abnormalities were detected in 60 joints (58.3%) indicating that a complete and systematic ultrasonographic examination is mandatory when investigating the tarsal region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Els V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Raes
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanderperren
authors.forename: Frederik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pille
authors.forename: Jimmy H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Saunders
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006736:Horses; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013585:Synovitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D013640:Tarsal Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary