Abstract
BackgroundAxial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament has been described in Friesian horses as well as in other breeds. The objectives of this study were to review the outcome of clinical cases of this disease in Friesian horses and analyse the pathology of the bone-ligament interface. Case records of Friesian horses diagnosed with axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the period 2002-2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Post-mortem examination was performed on horses that were euthanized (n = 3) and included macroscopic necropsy (n = 3), high-field (9.4 Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging (n = 1) and histopathology (n = 2).ResultsTwelve horses were included, aged 6.8 ± 2.7 years. The hindlimb was involved in all cases. Lameness was acute in onset and severe, with a mean duration of 1.9 ± 1.0 months. Three horses were euthanized after diagnosis; 9 horses underwent treatment. Two horses (22%) became sound for light riding purposes, 2 horses (22%) became pasture sound (comfortable at pasture, but not suitable for riding), 5 horses (56%) remained lame. In addition to bone resorption at the proximo-axial margin of the proximal sesamoid bones, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology showed osteoporosis of the peripheral compact bone and spongious bone of the proximal sesamoid bones and chronic inflammation of the intersesamoidean ligament.ConclusionsAxial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the hindlimb of Friesian horses carries a poor prognosis. Pathological characterization (inflammation, proximo-axial bone resorption and remodelling of the peripheral compact bone and spongious bone of the proximal sesamoid bones) may help in unravelling the aetiology of this disease.
Highlights
Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament has been described in Friesian horses as well as in other breeds
Where diagnostic imaging (radiography (Rx), ultrasonography (US) and contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT)) was the central theme of the paper of Vanderperren et al [7], the aim of the present study was firstly to review the outcome of Friesian horses diagnosed with and treated for axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) with desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament (ISL), and secondly to describe the pathology of the bone-ligament interface
Case selection Case records of Friesian horses admitted to the Department of Equine Sciences of Utrecht University (The Netherlands) between 2002-2012 (n = 7) and to the Equine Veterinary Hospital Bodegraven (The Netherlands) between 20092010 (n = 5) that were diagnosed with axial osteitis of the PSBs and desmitis of the ISL in the hindlimb were reviewed
Summary
Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament has been described in Friesian horses as well as in other breeds. The objectives of this study were to review the outcome of clinical cases of this disease in Friesian horses and analyse the pathology of the bone-ligament interface. Case records of Friesian horses diagnosed with axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the period 2002-2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) with desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament (ISL) has been documented in several reports during the last two decades [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Causes of ISL desmitis that have been considered include primary disruption of the ISL [2,3], traumatically induced inflammation with secondary disruption of the ligament [2,3,7], disruption of the ISL secondary to sepsis of the metacarpophalangeal (MCPJ) or metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) or digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) [2,5,8], fungal osteomyelitis of the PSBs [6], and ischemia-induced lysis of bone and secondary disruption of the ISL as a consequence of disturbance of the blood supply [1,2]
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