Normal cross-sectional anatomy and magnetic resonance imaging of pastern and coffin joints in camel

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

doi:10.21608/jvmr.2019.67970

Abstract

The present study aimed to describe the normal cross sectional anatomy and magnetic resonance imaging of pastern and coffin joints in dromedary camel. This study was conducted on twelve distal limbs (fore and hind) of fresh cadavers from three adult camels of both sexes. The specimens appeared normal without orthopedic disorders. Twelve distal limbs were scanned using a 1 Tesla MRI scanner and then injected with colored latex to be sectioned into sagittal, dorsal and transverse slices. Cross anatomical sections were matched with their corresponding MR images for identification and evaluation of the clinically relevant anatomical structures that appeared with different signal intensities on MRI scans. The present study showed that all major soft tissues in pastern and coffin joints of camel were clearly depicted on MR images, however, the palmar/plantar ligaments of pastern joint and ligaments of navicular cartilage could not be identified on MR images. The annotated cross anatomical sections with the corresponding MR images could be used as a normal reference for interpretation of some clinical diseases in pastern and coffin joints of camel.

Highlights

Camel population is found in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Sudan, Iran, Somaliland, India, China and many other countries (Monfared 2013)
Articular cartilages of the second and third phalanges were clearly differentiated from the bony structures as a thin plate of high signal intensity (Figs. 1, 2)
Subchondral bone was visualized as a thin layer of low signal intensity which could be recognized from articular cartilage at the extremity of each bone (Figs. 1, 2)

Summary

Introduction

Camel population is found in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Sudan, Iran, Somaliland, India, China and many other countries (Monfared 2013). Camel is capable to overcome the harsh climate of the desert and able to survive and produce under the difficult environmental conditions (Sadegh et al 2007). In developing countries, it is used as an essential source of milk, meat and hide (Ahmad et al 2010). Lameness in camels appears with a different pattern compared to the bovine and equine, due to the particular anatomy of camel limbs (Al-Juboori 2013). These conditions require awareness of the normal gross anatomical structure and improvement of high definitive diagnostic imaging techniques for clarification and evaluation of the orthopedic affections

Methods

Results

Conclusion