LAUSR

Injuries to the structures within the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) can lead to lameness with a variable degree of effusion in horses. In some cases, effusion is absent or minimal, and this may be related to the chronicity and type of injury, or veterinary interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine if saline injection into the DFTS would improve ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging of the distal limb without introducing artifact. Nine normal equine cadaver forelimbs were collected. Non-weight-bearing ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of each limb was performed pre- and immediately post-injection of the DFTS. The presence of fluid in the DFTS significantly improved the delineation of the deep digital flexor tendon, manica flexoria, and straight distal sesamoidean ligament visualised using both ultrasonography and MRI (P<0.05). Significant improvement in visualisation of the margins of the superficial digital flexor tendon was noted only with MRI (P<0.05). Saline distension did not alter the size/shape of the intra- and extrathecal structures. The findings of this study support further evaluation of this imaging technique in clinical cases with minimal DFTS effusion.