Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bone scintigraphy as an aid in the diagnosis of occult distal tarsal bone trauma in three horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1986
- Authors:
- Stover, S M et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Three horses that were suddenly limping were examined using physical checks and a special imaging technique called bone scintigraphy, which helps find hidden injuries. Initially, regular X-rays didn’t show any problems, but the bone scintigraphy showed areas of concern in the lower tarsal bones. In one horse, follow-up X-rays taken four weeks later revealed a fracture in the central tarsal bone. All three horses were treated conservatively, meaning they received non-surgical care, and they all returned to acceptable levels of activity.
Abstract
History, physical examination, and bone scintigraphy were used to diagnose central and/or third tarsal bone trauma in 3 acutely lame horses. In all 3 cases, the results of initial radiographic examination were negative. Bone scintigraphy revealed focal, intense radioisotope uptake at the level of the distal tarsal bones in the 3 horses. Radiographs obtained 4 weeks after injury in one horse demonstrated a slab fracture of the central tarsal bone. Conservative management of the tarsal bone disease resulted in acceptable return to function in all 3 horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3957774/