Cross-sectional anatomy, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography of fetlock joint in camel

Ibrahim, A.A.H,Adam, Z.E,Tawfiek, M.G

doi:10.21608/jvmr.2019.67969

Abstract

The current study aimed to describe the normal cross-sectional anatomy, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography of the fetlock joint in adult healthy dromedary camel. This study was carried out on twelve fetlock joints of the fresh cadavers from three camels. The gross examination of these camels revealed that they were normal with no orthopedic abnormalities. The cadaveric fetlock joints (n=12) were scanned using a computed tomographic (CT) scanner and a 1 Tesla MRI scanner. Then the joints were injected with a colored latex and sectioned into transverse, dorsal, and sagittal slices. Cross-anatomical sections were correlated with their corresponding CT and MR images for evaluation of the normal relevant anatomical structures that appeared with different signal intensities on the CT and MRI scans. The current investigation revealed that all the major soft tissue structures in the fetlock joint of the dromedary camel were clearly visualized on both CT and MR scans, except the short and the cruciate sesamoidean ligaments that could not be identified on both the CT and MR images. The anatomical sections with their corresponding CT and MR images obtained in this study could be used as a reference for subsequent clinical diagnosis and the interpretation of fetlock joint pathologies in dromedary camel.

Highlights

Camel is adapted to the hard climatic conditions of the desert and has the capability to survive and produce under hard environmental conditions (Sadegh et al 2007)
The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive detailed anatomic reference on the cross-sectional anatomy, computed tomographic (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the fetlock joint in dromedary camel to be used as a helpful reference for the interpretation and evaluation of the musculoskeletal disorders of the fetlock joint in camels
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Articular cartilages were clearly recognized from the surrounding bony structures as a thin layer of high signal intensity (Figs. 2, 4)

Summary

Introduction

Camel is adapted to the hard climatic conditions of the desert and has the capability to survive and produce under hard environmental conditions (Sadegh et al 2007). It is used as an important source of milk, meat and hide especially in the developing countries (Ahmad et al 2010). The camel has a different pattern of lameness when compared to the bovine and equine, because of its peculiar anatomy and biomechanics (Al-Juboori 2013) These instances require awareness of the normal anatomical structures and developing of the modern diagnostic imaging techniques for the identification and evaluation of the orthopedic problems

Methods

Results

Conclusion