title: Tenovaginoscopic approach to the common digital flexor tendon sheath of adult cattle: technique, normal findings and preliminary results in four clinical cases.
abstract: The aim of this study was to describe the tenovaginoscopic approach to the bovine common digital flexor tendon sheath (CDFTS). A comparative anatomical, ultrasonographic and endoscopic study was undertaken using 26 healthy cadaver feet from adult dairy cows. Tenovaginoscopy was performed using a rigid, 30° arthroscope (length 18 cm; outer diameter 4mm) enabling a direct view of the synovial cavity and the following structures: digital flexor tendons, digital annular ligaments, lateral and medial pouches, three mesotendons, the vinculum of the superficial digital flexor tendon, and a slot-shaped opening in the manicaflexoria of the hind feet. Additionally, four clinical cases of septic tenosynovitis treated with lavage under tenovaginoscopic control were examined. Tenovaginoscopy represents a feasible, minimally invasive method for the diagnosis and treatment of septic tenosynovitis of the CDFTS, which allows the degree of alterations of the normal structures to be evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Large Animal Hospital of Lodi, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy. alberto.bertagnoli@unimi.it
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertagnoli
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Räber
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morandi
authors.forename: Carlo M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mortellaro
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000293:injuries*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb; D006614:Hindlimb; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome