Scintigraphy for diagnosis of avulsions of the origin of the suspensory ligament in horses: 51 cases (1980-1993)
Edwards, R.B.; Ducharme, N.G.; Fubini, S.L.; Yeager, A.E.; Kallfelz, F.A.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 207(5): 608-611
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 7649776 Document Number: 453991
The usefulness of scintigraphy and radiography for diagnosis of avulsions of the origin of the suspensory ligament (AOSL) was assessed by comparing the initial findings recorded in the medical records to those obtained from a retrospective review of the scintigraphs and radiographs. Records of 21 horses indicated diagnosis of AOSL, whereas 30 other horses with scintigraphic lesions of the proximal aspect of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone but with a confirmed diagnosis other than AOSL served as controls for lesion specificity. Scintigraphy revealed increased uptake in all 21 horses with AOSL. Only 14 (67%) of 21 horses radiographed, however, had at least 1 lesion during the initial radiographic evaluation that was reported to be suggestive of AOSL. When the radiographs were reviewed retrospectively, the radiologist identified 18 (86%) of 21 horses with lesions consistent with avulsion. The interpretation of scintigraphy appeared to be a more repeatable and sensitive diagnostic method than did radiography. However, although scintigraphy was sensitive in identifying inflammation of the proximal aspect of the metacarpal/metatarsal region, no specific diagnosis of avulsion could be made without coincident radiography; the specificity of scintigraphy in diagnosing avulsion of the suspensory ligament was only 41% (21/51). Radiography of the proximal aspect of the the third metacarpal/tarsal bone was falsely negative in 3 (14%) of 21 horses on retrospective evaluation and in 7 (33%) of 21 horses on initial evaluation.