Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology

Magnetic resonance imaging nowadays has become the gold standard for diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries in human and equine. The present study was carried on 40 draft horses suffered lameness restricted to the phalangeal region (fetlock, pastern and foot regions) admitted to Brook Charity, Equine Hospital, Egypt (2/2017- 2/2020).The aim of this study was to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of lameness cases with comparison to radiographical, ultrasonographical and gross post mortem findings. After thorough clinical examination and perineural analgesia for the digital region were performed to localize site of pain, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations were followed. These horses were euthanized due to various causes not related to the study. Cadaver limbs were collected for MR investigation and lastly examined grossly. Seventeen lesions of the fetlock and pastern regions and 16 foot injuries were recorded and described using MRI.MRI revealed injuries of both soft and osseous tissues in 80% of examined horses, only soft tissue injuries in 16.7% of horses and only bone and cartilage injuries in 3.3% of horses. All horses had multiple MRI abnormalities. MRI revealed injuries of 9 internal hoof structures including; deep digital flexor tendon (80%), distal interphalangeal joint (60%), navicular bone (50%), collateral sesamoidean ligament (20%), distal sesamoideanimpar ligament (20%), navicular bursa (10%), distal digital annular ligament (10%), sensitive laminae (10%), toric part of digital cushion (10%) and second phalanx (10%). In conclusion, MRI played a pivotal role in comprehensive evaluation of phalangeal region{u2019}s injuries and it is highly recommended for examination of all structures of that region in chronically lamed draft horses

Issued also as CD