A novel radiographic projection for the detection of sagittal plane slab fracture of the equine third carpal bone.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some sagittal plane fractures of the equine third carpal bone are difficult to detect with conventional radiographic projections. OBJECTIVES: To describe a novel radiographic projection for the detection of sagittal plane slab fractures of the equine third carpal bone. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of radiological records. METHODS: From a first opinion Thoroughbred racehorse caseload, cases were included for analysis if sagittal fracture of the third carpal bone was evident on a dorsoproximal lateral-palmarodistal medial oblique (DPrL-PDiMO) projection of the distal row of carpal bones and not visible on the standard dorsoproximal-dorsodistal oblique (DPr-DDiO) projection. RESULTS: Eight cases in which radiological identification of fracture was dependent on the DPrL-PDiMO projection were identified from August 2013 to August 2017. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Unblinded study. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional radiographic projections can fail to detect some serious fractures of the equine third carpal bone. The DPrL-PDiMO projection has a role in the investigation of suspected carpal injury in racehorses.