Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Widespread Osteolysis as an Uncommon Manifestation of Equine Sarcoidosis.
- Journal:
- Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
- Year:
- 2026
- Authors:
- DiBello, Devon et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Radiology · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A mature Quarter Horse mare was diagnosed with a rare disease called equine sarcoidosis, which causes inflammation in various parts of the body. In this case, the horse showed signs of bone loss in her legs, which was seen on X-rays. Further tests revealed widespread bone loss throughout her spine and other areas, linked to the inflammation caused by the disease. Unfortunately, because her condition was getting worse, the decision was made to humanely euthanize her. This case highlights a new aspect of equine sarcoidosis that may not have been fully recognized before.
Abstract
Equine sarcoidosis is an uncommon disease characterized by granulomatous inflammation presenting in a spectrum of body system involvement and severity. Musculoskeletal manifestations are sporadically reported but without correlation between imaging and pathologic findings. In a mature Quarter Horse mare eventually diagnosed with a progressive form of sarcoidosis, phalangeal osteolysis discovered on radiography prompted further evaluation, revealing diffuse, discrete osteolysis throughout the axial skeleton. Due to disease progression, humane euthanasia was elected, and computed tomography and histopathology were performed. Regions of osteolysis correlated to sites of granulomatous inflammation, providing a novel and possibly underestimated feature of equine sarcoidosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41511810/