title: Digital sheath synovial ganglion cysts in horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical features of horses with fluid-filled masses associated with the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) and outcome after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses (n=10)
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of horses with fluid-filled masses associated with the DFTS were reviewed and the clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatment, histopathology, and outcome reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Masses were unilateral (7 hind limb, 3 front limb) and in 8 horses were associated with lameness. In 6 horses, lameness improved by >50% with intrathecal DTFS anesthesia, whereas 2 were less positive but were further improved with perineural anesthesia just proximal to the cyst. Communication between the DFTS and mass was identified in all horses ultrasonographically. Resection of the mass resolved lameness in 7 horses. Histologically (5 specimens), the mass was characterized by a fibrous outer layer without a synovial lining, consistent with a ganglion cyst.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The histologic appearance of ganglion cysts suggests that they arise from trauma to the sheath wall and may subsequently be a cause of lameness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UK. acrawford@rvc.ac.uk
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Crowe
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eliashar
authors.forename: Roger K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D045888:Ganglion Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000074402:Synovectomy; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology*