Evaluation of mean echogenicity of tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region in neonatal foals: A preliminary study.
The aims of this research were to evaluate mean echogenicity (ME) of the deep and superficial digital flexor tendons (DDFT and SDFT), the interosseous muscle (IM), and the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) of the metacarpal region in neonatal foals, and determine the effect of sex, side and body weight on this quantitative ultrasonographic evaluation. Thirteen orthopedically sound neonatal foals were examined. Four areas of study (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) were identified. Transverse scans of the DDFT, SDFT, IM and ALDDFT were obtained, recorded, and analyzed. The most echogenic structures were the ALDDFT and DDFT, while the SDFT was significantly less echogenic than all other structures (P<0.05). No influence of sex, forelimb, or body weight was observed. The echogenicity of the tenodesmic structures of foals partially overlapped that reported in the metacarpal region in adult horses, except for IM.
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, BO, Italy. Electronic address: giuseppe.spinella@unibo.it.
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Spinella
Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Germaneto, CZ, Italy.
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Loprete
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, BO, Italy.
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Castagnetti
Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Germaneto, CZ, Italy.
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Musella
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, BO, Italy.
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Antonelli
Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontaña S/N, Arucas 35413, Las Palmas, Spain.
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Vilar
Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Germaneto, CZ, Italy.
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Britti
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, BO, Italy.
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Capitani
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, BO, Italy.
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Valentini
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000662:veterinary
Accessory ligament; Deep digital flexor tendon; Foal; Interosseous muscle; Mean echogenicity; Superficial digital flexor tendon