Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Multimodal Diagnostic Imaging to Identify Septic Apophysitis of the Proximal Humerus in a Thoroughbred Foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of equine veterinary science
- Year:
- 2021
- Authors:
- Scilimati, Nicola et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Medicine · Italy
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 4-month-old Thoroughbred filly was brought in because she was limping badly on her left front leg for the past day. X-rays of her shoulder showed some mild changes in the bone, while an ultrasound revealed extra fluid in the joint and some irregularities in the bone surface. A CT scan helped identify an area of infection in the bone, which was crucial for guiding a needle to take a sample for testing. This information allowed the veterinarians to choose the right antibiotics for her treatment. The treatment was successful in addressing the infection.
Abstract
A 4-month-old Thoroughbred filly was referred for evaluation of severe left forelimb lameness of 24 hours duration. Radiographic projections of the shoulder revealed mild irregularity and sclerosis of the proximal humeral apophysis. Ultrasonographic examination showed a moderate increase in the amount of anechogenic synovial fluid within the intertubercular bursa and scapulohumeral joint, and irregularity of the ossifying bone surface of the intermediate tubercle of the humerus. Computed tomographic (CT) examination revealed a circular hypoattenuating area at the level of the proximal apophysis of the humerus. CT imaging in this case was essential for an early identification of the septic foci and it allowed ultrasound-guided sample from the lesion for the selection of targeted antibiotic therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33993941/