Abstract
Equine palmar foot syndrome or navicular disease is a common cause of chronic front limb lameness. The state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging is not available for all patients and ultrasonography is sometimes impossible. Intrabursal medication is an important part of treating the disease. Contrast-enhanced (CE) radiography seems to be another interesting imaging modality. There is no information about the CE dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique (DPr-PaDiO) radiographs in living horses. This case study shows the first results of this imaging technique with explanations of the findings. Twenty out of 23 injections were successful. The navicular bursa (NB) and the distal interphalangeal joint were filled with contrast medium (CM) in 1/23. There was CM palmar to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in addition to the filled NB in 5/20 (25 %) cases. The DPr-PaDiO CE showed alliterations in 7/9 (77.78 %) with a clinical history of lameness. There were two DDFT lesions, one full flexor cortex lesion, three suspected ruptures of the NB and five NB adhesions. The DPr-PaDiO CE X-ray is an inexpensive and highly available additional imaging tool in horses with suspected equine palmar foot syndrome.
Abbreviations: Papr-Padio: Palmaroproximal-Palmarodistal Oblique; Dpr-Padio: Dorsoproximal-Palmarodistal Oblique; DDFT: Deep Digital Flexor Tendon; MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; CE: Contrast-Enhanced; NB: Navicular Bursa; DIP: Distal Interphalangeal (Joint); CSL: Collateral Sesamoidean Ligament; DIL: Distal Impar Ligament
Introduction
Equine palmar foot syndrome is a common cause of front
limb lameness in the horse [1]. The podotrochlear apparatus is a
special anatomic feature in the horse due to the deep digital flexor
tendon needing a pulley before the insertion on the distal phalanx.
The navicular bone (navicular bursa: NB), distal impar ligament
(DIL), collateral sesamoidean ligaments (CSL) and the deep digital
flexor tendon (DDFT) are part of the podotrochleat apparatus [2].
Alliterations of one of these structures alone or combined lead to
pain [2]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a favorable method to
diagnose the different lesions [3–5]. Ultrasound is also an option to
diagnose changes in the DIL and DDFT [6,7]. Due to lesions in the soft
tissue, X-ray is sufficient to diagnose equine palmar foot syndrome
[8]. Contrast radiography with palmaroproximal-palmarodistal
oblique views seem to be helpful in diagnosing changes in the DDFT
and the flexor surface cartilage [9,10]. Intrabursal medication is
one of the widest use practices in navicular disease [11,12].
There are many ways to inject the bursa. The distal palmar
approach to the “navicular position,” defined as a point on the lateral
hoof wall, 1 cm distal to the coronary band, and halfway between
the most dorsal and most palmar aspect of the coronary band [12],
seems to be very successful. In cadaver limbs, 23/25 (92 %) were
injected successful with 1.1 redirection per injection. However, there was also contrast medium (CM) in the distal interphalangeal
joint (DIP) in 1/25 (4 %) and palmar to the DDFT in 1/25 (4 %)
legs. There is also the possibility to show alliterations in navicular
apparatus in cadaver limbs with bursography, especially with the
dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique view [13]. There is a reported
success of 14/17 for NB injections (82.35 %) in living horses
[14]. There is no information currently about dorsoproximalpalmarodistal
oblique radiographic projections with CM in the NB
in living horses. Thus, this case study will show the first results of
this technique in living horses.
Materials and Methods
Thirteen horses were chosen for a reason not connected to
the study for injection of the NB. Patients were presented in the
hospital from 2015 to 2020 and were all warmbloods. Nine horses
were injected in both front feet. Only one foot was injected in each
of four horses. The NB was injected twice in one horse. There was
complete lameness examination data available in seven horses,
including a positive distal digital nerve block. The data were
collected retrospectively. All horses underwent a distal digital
nerve block and a sedation with detomidine and butorphanol. The
skin between the heel bulbs was shaved or clipped and washed
for 5 min with antibacterial soap and swabbed several times with
alcohol. The foot was placed on a standard DP 65° wooden block
and held by staff, the same way as for the DPr-PaDiO radiographic
projections. An amount of 3 ml Iomeprol 300 mg ID/ml (Imeron
300M© Bracco Imaging GmbH, Konstanz, Germany) and 5mg
triamcinolonactenonide (TriamHexal©, Hexal AG, Holzkirchen,
Germany) were injected directly into the NB using a spinal needle
(BD© Spinal Needle, 0.9 *90 mm, Becton Dickinson GmbH,
Karlsruhe, Germany) and a standard 5 ml syringe under sterile
conditions.
The landmark for needle insertion was a point just proximal
to the central sulcus of the frog, with the needle directed toward
the apex of the frog and parallel to the ground surface of the hoof
[10]. The correct placement of the needle was controlled with a
latero-medial view. If the needle was not in place, it was redirected
and also checked with an latero-medial view until it was correctly
placed. The CM was then injected and another latero-medial view
was taken to see whether the bursa was filled with CM. Holding the
leg still in position, the DPr-PaDiO radiographic projection and a
palmaroproximal-palmarodistal oblique (PaPr-PaDiO) radiograph
on a standard block were made. All radiographs were acquired
with a mobile X-ray tube (TR 90/30, Gierth®, Riesa, Germany) and
a direct X-ray detector system (Mark 3 Sound-Eklin® Carlsbad, CA,
USA or CXDI-801C, Canon®, Tokyo, Japan).
Findings in the DPr-PaDiO CE were a change in dimension
of the proximal or distal border, which represents an adhesion
formation. The rough shape of the NB might come from a chronic
bursitis with hyperproliferation of the synovium. Additionally,
there should be no CM abaxial to the border marked by the end of
the navicular bone, which would be evidence of a rupture of the NB.
A dorsal tendon tear would lead to a long, straight and radiopaque
line. Therefore, if there is an irregularity in the surface of the DDFT
communicating with the NB, CM would be able to fill the defect in
the tendon. A defect in the flexor cortex (cartilage) would manifest
as a round, radiopaque area. These lesions are typically roundshaped.
An adhesion would be represented by a radiolucent area.
As described above, there is a small amount of CM between the
navicular bone and the DDFT. If there is an adhesion between those
structures mentioned, the dye column will be interrupted. The
radiological density of the scar tissue is like soft tissue, therefore,
there will be radiolucency.
Results/Observations
Twenty-three legs were injected. The NB was successfully injected only in 20/23 (86.96 %). In the other three legs, the CM was injected completely palmar to the DDFT (Figure 1b). The NB and the DIP were filled with CM in one horse (4.35 %) (Figure 1a). The DPr-PaDiO CE showed alliterations in 7/9 (77.78 %) legs with a clinical history of lameness. There was CM palmar to the DDFT (Figure 1a) and the NB was filled with CM in 5/20 (25.00 %) legs. The findings are summarized in Table 1. There were two DDFT lesions, one full flexor cortex lesion, three suspected ruptures of the NB and five NB adhesions.
Special Cases
Horse 3 was presented at the hospital because of an acute onset of lameness in the right front two weeks previously. The referring vet made a DPr-PaDiO X-ray. There was a central radiolucent area in the navicular bone that was suspected of being an osseus cystlike lesion (OCLL). The lameness was alleviated by a distal digital nerve block in the clinic. The DPr-PaDiO was repeated and an additional PaPr-PaDiO X-Ray was done. The OCLL was seen again in both views. An intrabursal administration of corticosteroids was recommended and a systemic treatment with bisphosphonates as therapy. The DPr-PaDiO CE radiographs showed a radiopaque area exactly in the middle of the suspected OCLL. The proximal and distal border of the NB also seemed to be very irregular (Figure 2a). The finding could be revealed in the PaPr-PaDiO CE (Figure 2b). The diagnosis was a full thickness flexor cortex lesion including the subchondral bone and bursitis of the NB. The prognosis given was poor. The horse was three month better with the therapy. It was euthanized after three months because of the poor prognosis and the recurrent lameness.
Horse 11 has a chronic right front limb lameness (3/5). The distal digital nerve block was positive. The radiographs and ultrasound of the tendon in the heel region (not transcuneal) were without significant findings. The owners reported a history of stumbling. Because they did not want to make an MRI, the NB was injected and the additional CE views were obtained. There were several longitudinal (proximo-distal) straight and radiopaque lines in the DPr-PaDiO CE (Figure 3a). The horse was diagnosed with a DDFT tendonitis. Additionally, there was an irregular proximal border of the dye column. The horse was given a poor prognosis for riding but a guarded prognosis for a pasture retirement. A special shoe for DDFT tendonitis was advised. The horse was sound for two months and returned with recurrent lameness after three months. The suspected tendon tear had enlarged enormously (Figure 3b) and was not visible in the ultrasound of the pastern region. The prognosis given was now poor. A neurectomy was performed even with the assessment that the chance was very poor and the tendon tear would be progressive. Three months later the horse was euthanized because of lameness when walking.
Horse 12 was lame (1-2/5) in the right front limb. After the positive distal digital nerve block with a shift of lameness to the left side and no findings in ultrasound and X-ray, a bursography was performed. The bursography showed an accumulation of CM medial to the navicular bone in both views (Figures 4a & 4b). In the DPr-PaDiO CE view, there was also a little bit of pooling of CM lateral to the ridge of the navicular bone. After the injection, the horse had acute lameness in a few steps (4/5). This lameness was gone after four hours and a single dose of flunixin-meglumin. The horse was diagnosed with a suspected traumatic rupture of the NB. The contralateral limb was also injected and showed no findings. It was given a good prognosis. After eight weeks rest and rehabilitation training, the horse was complete sound. There was a very clear end of the proximal dye column in the lateral and the DPr-PaDiO view (Figures 5a & 5b) in 4/23 (17.39 %) legs compared to the other legs (Figures 5c & 5d). In the lateral view, there was also a radiolucent area in the bursa, which seems to be air from the injection. Therefore, the air presents the proximal border of the NB. Three out of these four legs received 10 mg/1ml triamcinolonacetonide.
Discussion
The injection of the bursa is a crucial part of treating navicular
disease [11]. There has been a lot of discussion about whether it is
necessary to inject the bursa because medication of the DIP joint
will diffuse to the NB anyway [15,16]. Therefore, whether to inject
the bursa or not should be considered every time [17]. There can
be a case of DDFT tendonitis after injecting the bursa [18]. If the
decision to inject the bursa has been made, a contrast study [12]
for a successful injection seems to be necessary. In our study, the
success rate in living horses with an X-ray-guided injection was
successful in 20/23 (86.96 %) cases, which is nearly the same as
that reported previously: 14/17 (82.35 %) [14]. The reason for the
difference between 23/25 (92 %) [19] and (96/96) 100 % [13]
seems to be the movement of a living horse. The horse is able to
move in the time between making the lateral X-ray to check the
needle placement and the injection. Even with the foot placed on
the block, the lifted leg can fluctuate and the connected movement
of the DDFT can move the needle.
The bursography revealed a diagnosis in 6/7 cases. In two
cases (horse 3 and 11), the prognosis based on the bursography
was correct, even though one of these cases did not show marked
alliterations in the radiographs. In these cases, a MRI was not
necessary and saved the owner money and stress for the horse.
The communication between the NB and the DIP joint, as in horse
1, is also a finding which is perhaps not visible in the MRI. The
same applies to the right front leg of horse 12. The rupture of the
NB may only be visible in the MRI with CM [20]. The mixture of
the CM with another medication could be a problem in evaluating
bursographies, as shown in Figure 5. The CM based on iodine had
a higher density than other drugs. In addition, it does not seem to
be dilutable in other drugs. Therefore, there can be two phases
in the bursa: distal the CM and proximal the medication (e.g.
triamcinolone), and perhaps air. But no problems seem to occur
when mixing the CM with local anesthetics and injecting them into
synovial structures [21,22]. One horse in this study developed an
acute onset of lameness after the injection. No horse had a septic
inflammation. The injection of up to 6 ml in the bursa seems to be
safe [20].
This is the first study on the DPr-PaDiO CE in living horses. No validated statistics could be made because of the low number of cases and the absence of a gold standard. The findings were compared with results from cadaver limbs [13]. Further research should be made to ensure these first results. This study shows that the injection of the NB should always be controlled with CM to be sure if the injection was successful. The bursography could lead to a diagnosis, a safer prognosis and a successful control for intrabursal treatment especially in cases where MRI or ultrasound examinations are not possible.
Acknowledgement
The authors gratefully acknowledge the managers of the abattoir for their valuable supportive efforts. Without their kind cooperation, this study would have been difficult to conduct.
Authors’ Contributions
CS designed and carried out the study, performed statistical analyses, wrote the original draft, and edited and revised the manuscript. CS and JK evaluated the samples.
Funding
Not applicable.
Availability of Data and Materials
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate
All horses were injected for clearly defined therapeutic reasons.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing Interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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