Comparison of the accuracy of radiography and ultrasonography for detection of articular lesions in horses.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of ultrasonographic and radiographic examination for evaluation of articular lesions in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: Horses (n = 137) with articular lesions. METHODS: Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations of the affected joint(s) were performed before diagnostic or therapeutic arthroscopic surgery. Findings were recorded and compared to lesions identified during arthroscopy. RESULTS: In 254 joints, 432 lesions were identified by arthroscopy. The overall accuracy was 82.9% for ultrasonography and 62.2% for radiography (P < .0001) with a sensitivity of 91.4% for ultrasonography and 66.7% for radiography (P < .0001). The difference in specificity was not statistically significant (P = .2628). The negative predictive value for ultrasonography was 31.5% and 13.2% for radiography (P = .0022), the difference for the positive predictive value was not statistically significant (P = .3898). The accuracy for ultrasonography and radiography for left versus right joints was equal and corresponded with the overall results. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic evaluation of articular lesions was more accurate than radiographic evaluation.