title: Equine articular synovial cysts: 16 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of equine patients with articular synovial cysts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses (n = 16) with articular synovial cysts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses diagnosed with articular synovial cysts (1988-2009) at 2 veterinary teaching hospitals were studied. Signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnostic methods and treatment were retrieved and telephone follow-up was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen horses with articular synovial cysts were identified. Lameness was the reason for referral in most (n = 9) horses. Diagnosis was based on a combination of palpation and imaging studies, including radiography, ultrasonography and/or arthrography. Excision of the cyst was performed in 8 horses. Outcome was available for 4 surgically and 2 conservatively treated horses. Lameness resolved in 3 horses treated surgically and the 4th died for unrelated reasons. The 2 conservatively treated horses performed satisfactorily for the rest of their career.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Equine articular synovial cysts are rare and can be associated with lameness. The cysts had a synovial lining in all horses where it was assessed. Surgical excision may be successful in resolving the lameness and allowing selected horses to return to work.
authors.affiliation: Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lacourt
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rossier
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laverty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000662:veterinary*