J M Vilar1, A Santana, J Espinosa, G Spinella. 1. Animal Pathology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University, Arucas. jvilar@dpat.ulpgc.es
Abstract
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The assessment of a normal range for cross-sectional area (CSA) of tendons in the tarsal region is important in order to use them as reference values in the identification of pathological changes of dimensions. OBJECTIVES: To provide normal reference values for the CSA of the tendons of the tarsus of Standardbred trotter horses (STH) by means of ultrasonography. METHODS: Transverse echographic images of the tendons were obtained at different levels proximodistally; these images were digitised and CSA values (mean ± s.d.) were obtained for each structure. RESULTS: The largest structure corresponded with the lateral digital flexor/caudal tibial tendon complex at Level 1 and the smallest was the medial digital flexor tendon at Level 4. Almost all tendons showed a slight decreasing in their CSA when crossing the tarsus. CONCLUSIONS: The normal CSA values of tendinous structures in the tarsal region of the STH are reported. These data could be used as anatomical references. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The establishment of reference values could serve as a tool to discriminate between normal and abnormal dimensions of tarsal tendons in STH. Other horse breeds should need their own reference values.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The assessment of a normal range for cross-sectional area (CSA) of tendons in the tarsal region is important in order to use them as reference values in the identification of pathological changes of dimensions. OBJECTIVES: To provide normal reference values for the CSA of the tendons of the tarsus of Standardbred trotter horses (STH) by means of ultrasonography. METHODS: Transverse echographic images of the tendons were obtained at different levels proximodistally; these images were digitised and CSA values (mean ± s.d.) were obtained for each structure. RESULTS: The largest structure corresponded with the lateral digital flexor/caudal tibial tendon complex at Level 1 and the smallest was the medial digital flexor tendon at Level 4. Almost all tendons showed a slight decreasing in their CSA when crossing the tarsus. CONCLUSIONS: The normal CSA values of tendinous structures in the tarsal region of the STH are reported. These data could be used as anatomical references. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The establishment of reference values could serve as a tool to discriminate between normal and abnormal dimensions of tarsal tendons in STH. Other horse breeds should need their own reference values.
Authors: Giuseppe Spinella; Domenico Britti; Giovanni Loprete; Vincenzo Musella; Noemi Romagnoli; Jose M Vilar; Simona Valentini Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-07-21 Impact factor: 3.240