Low‐field magnetic resonance imaging of keratomas of the hoof wall

Abstract

SummaryStanding low‐field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to image the feet of 21 horses affected by keratomas. The animals had variable clinical histories including acute, chronic or recurrent lameness. Of the 21 horses, only 14 (66%) had radiological changes suggestive of keratoma. Standing low‐field MRI revealed a smoothly demarcated hoof wall lesion in all horses, with deformity of the adjacent surface of the distal phalanx in 15 cases. The signal characteristics of the keratomas varied, with most showing either hypointensity or heterogeneous mixed signal intensity in T1‐ and T2*‐weighted images and hypointensity in STIR sequences. An intermediate or high STIR signal intensity was present in the trabecular bone of the adjacent region of the distal phalanx in 5 cases. Surgical debridement was performed in 16 horses. Recurrence was common, especially in cases where the lesion was ill‐defined; the prior MRI appearance of these cases tended to be of heterogeneous signal intensity.