Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MRI and CT diagnosis of acute desmopathy of the lateral collateral sesmoidean (navicular) ligament and long-term outcome in a horse.
- Journal:
- Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Kofler, J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Clinical Department of Horses and Small Animals
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 13-year-old Hanoverian mare was brought to the clinic because she was limping badly on her left front leg and showed pain when her coffin joint (a joint in the hoof area) was touched. Despite some tests not showing any clear issues, advanced imaging like MRI revealed damage to a ligament in her leg and swelling in the bone of her hoof. The horse was treated with strict rest and a cast for four weeks, followed by a gradual exercise plan. After three months, she was no longer limping, and she fully recovered within six months.
Abstract
Clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) findings of acute desmopathy of the lateral collateral sesmoidean (navicular) ligament (CSL) in a 13-year-old Hanoverian mare are presented. On admission to the clinic the horse showed a grade 5/6 left front-limb lameness at the walk, pain on coffin joint manipulation, and coffin joint effusion. Despite a positive palmar digital nerve block, radiographs and ultrasonography did not indicate reasons for the severe clinical signs. However, MRI revealed damage to the CSL and bone marrow oedema of the navicular bone (NB), whereas a focal bone defect of the NB at the CSL insertion zone was demonstrated best by CT. The horse was managed with complete box rest and a fibreglass cast for four weeks followed by a controlled exercise program. Follow-up examination revealed no lameness at the trot three months later and the patient had fully recovered within six months.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17049889/