Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with swollen leg joint - what is fungal osteomyelitis?
By Sherman, Kevin M et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2006·Myhre Equine Clinic, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Fungal osteomyelitis of the axial border of the proximal sesamoid bones in a horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old Standardbred gelding was brought in for swelling around his right front leg joint. Tests showed fluid buildup and damage to the bones in that area, and a fungal infection caused by Aspergillus fumigatus was found. The horse received a combination of treatments, including medication and joint flushing, over several weeks. Three months later, he was still a bit lame while trotting but was otherwise moving comfortably and had gained weight. The owner decided to retire him from racing due to ongoing joint issues.
People also search for: horse joint swelling treatment · fungal infection in horses · Standardbred lameness causes
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 12-year-old Standardbred gelding was referred for swelling of the right metacarpophalangeal joint. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Ultrasonography of the right metacarpal area revealed hypoechoic areas in the right digital sheath and metacarpophalangeal joint consistent with synovial effusion. Radiography of the right metacarpophalangeal joint revealed lysis of the axial border of the proximal sesamoid bones. Aspergillus fumigatus was detected on fungal culture of synovial fluid. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Regional limb perfusion (150 mg of amikacin in 60 mL of saline [0.9% NaCl] solution perfused for 30 minutes) was performed 2 and 4 days after admission. Itraconazole (5 mg/kg [2.27 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) was administered for approximately 9 weeks. Joint lavage with amikacin (500 mg) in 1 L of saline solution was performed 4 times. Three months after discharge, the owner reported that the horse was mildly lame during trotting but was moving freely and comfortably during all gaits and had gained a considerable amount of weight. Because the osteoarthritis was not expected to improve and because it was recommended that the horse not return to purposeful exercise, the owner decided to retire the horse from racing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Various diagnostic imaging methods and fungal cultures are useful for diagnosing fungal osteomyelitis of the axial borders of the proximal sesamoid bones in horses. Fungal osteomyelitis of the sesamoid bones and erosive arthritis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for horses in which corticosteroids have been administered intra-articularly.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17107317/