Exam 1 - Equine Distal Limb Radiographs Flashcards
what view of the fetlock is this?
lateromedial view
what view of the fetlock is this?
flexed lateromedial view
is this a high diagnostic quality radiograph? If no, what is wrong with it & how would you fix it?
no - motion artifact
either from the person holding the plate, person holding the xray device, or the animal
need to repeat the rads
is this a high diagnostic quality radiograph? If no, what is wrong with it & how would you fix it?
no - large amount of debris on the foot, the marker is confusing, & the image is pixelated
need to clean the foot & repeat the rad with the correct marker, look at the image because it may not be entirely decompressed
is this a high diagnostic quality radiograph? If no, what is wrong with it & how would you fix it?
nope - there is a chip fracture on the distal aspect of the intermediate carpal bone but it is a cell phone picture taken of a computer screen
need to request a DICOM image/series
is this a high diagnostic quality radiograph? If no, what is wrong with it & how would you fix it?
no - either overexposed or clipping artifact
if clipped - try reprocessing
if overexposed - retake the rad & include accurate markers
is this a high diagnostic quality radiograph? If no, what is wrong with it & how would you fix it?
ok but could be better - human digit in field of view & a lot of debris on the patient’s digit & no markers are present int the field
get the finger out of the way
repeat rad with proper marker after cleaning the foot & keep hands out of the beam
what anatomic structure is abnormal? what is the diagnosis? what additional view would best highlight the abnormality?
medial proximal sesamoid bone is fractured
DMPLO - want to highlight the medial palmar aspect
5 year old, thoroughbred that is lame in the right hind limb - diagnosis?
normal stifle - secondary center of ossification of the fibula, not a fracture!!!
8 year old quarter horse that is lame in the forelimbs & worse on the right - diagnosis?
what soft tissues are likely affected & is likely clinically significant?
navicular bone degeneration with flexor cortical erosion & dystrophic mineralization of adjacent soft tissues
flexor cortical erosion affects the DDFT & is clinically significant - the dystrophic mineralization may be affecting the collateral sesamoidean ligament or other adjacent soft tissue structures
a bucking bull presents lame in the right hind limb for approximately 3 weeks - diagnosis? in treating this patient, which claw needs debridement & which needs a supportive block?
subsolar abscess with secondary osteomyelitis of the 3rd phalanx of the right hind medial claw with subsequent defect & associated regional cellulitis
medial claw needs to be debrided & lateral claw needs to have a block
an adult gelding presents with forelimb lameness - diagnosis?
chronic, incomplete dorsal cortical stress fracture with secondary smooth periosteal callus, cortical thickening, & endosteal proliferation
a 25 year-old grade mare presents for suspected colic. She has been laying down more and not wanting to eat or drink. She has bilateral forelimb lameness on physical examination with bounding digital pulses and pain when pressure is applied to the frog apex with hoof testers -
differentials? what rad views do you want? diagnosis?
laminitis
digit - lateral, DP, +/- dorsal-60°-proximal to palmerodistal
rotational laminitis of both front digits with the left being worse than the right
a 14 year-old Quarter Horse gelding became acutely, severely lame while roping earlier on the day of presentation - he is grade 4/5 lame & you note pain on fetlock flexion
differentials? what rad views do you want? diagnosis?
fracture involving 3rd MT bone, P1, or proximal sesamoid bone or less likely soft tissue injury (strain involving the superficial or deep digital flexor tendon or suspensory branch)
metatarsophalangeal joint - lateral, DP, DLPMO, & DMPLO
non-displaced lateral condylar fracture of the left 3rd metatarsal bone & mild sesamoiditis of the medial proximal sesamoid bone with suspected insertional injury of the medial branch of the sesamoid
a yearling warmblood colt has right pelvic limb lameness (grade 3/5) of 3 weeks duration - you detect bilateral stifle joint effusion on physical examination
differentials? what rad views do you want? diagnosis?
osteochondrosis involving the femoral trochlea, medial femoral condyle, femoral trochlea, and/or patella
bilateral stifle - lateral, caudocranial, & oblique caudal-30°-lateral to craniomedial oblique
osteochondrosis (or OCD) of the lateral femoral trochlea
