EQUINE | Abstracts
Abstracts
Equine Vet J. 2017 Jan 27.
An ultrasound-guided, tendon-sparing, lateral ap-
proach to injection of the navicular bursa.
Nottrott K, De Guio C, Khairoun A, Schramme M
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Navicular disease in the horse often requires injection of
the navicular bursa. We have developed an ultrasound-
guided, lateral needle approach to navicular bursocen-
tesis, which avoids penetration of the deep digital flexor
tendon (DDFT) and the need for radiographic control.
OBJECTIVES:
To describe and evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of
an ultrasound-guided, lateral bursocentesis technique.
STUDY DESIGN:
Cadaveric and in vivo experiments.
METHODS:
The navicular bursa in 62 cadaveric forelimbs of 31 hors-
es and in both forelimbs of 26 live horses, positioned
with the foot flexed in a navicular block, were submitted
to lateral, ultrasound-guided injection of 1.5 ml radio-
contrast agent. Lateromedial radiographs were taken to
locate the contrast. A second injection of 0.5 ml methy-
lene blue was administered during needle withdrawal in
cadaveric limbs to investigate the needle pathway dur-
ing dissection.
RESULTS:
Contrast agent was successfully deposited in the na-
vicular bursa in 104 of 114 (91%) limbs and in the na-
vicular bursa alone in 89 of 114 (78%) limbs. Dissection
showed no evidence of penetration of the DDFT in ca-
daver limbs. Failure to inject the navicular bursa was sig-
nificantly associated with poor quality of the ultrasound
image (P = 0.04) and resulted in aberrant injection of the
distal interphalangeal joint in five of 114 (4%) limbs, the
peribursal soft tissues in four of 114 (4%) limbs and the
digital flexor tendon sheath in one of 114 (0.9%) limbs.
Synovial fluid was observed at the needle hub in 58% of
live horses.
MAIN LIMITATIONS:
It is unknown whether injection results obtained in the
limbs of horses without disease can be extrapolated to
horses with clinical disease of the podotrochlear appara-
tus. The localisation of contrast medium on radiographs
may not accurately reflect the behaviour of local anaes-
thetic solution or therapeutic medications injected in
the navicular bursa.
CONCLUSIONS:
This lateral, ultrasound-guided technique for injecting
the navicular bursa is effective, does not penetrate the
DDFT and avoids exposure of personnel to radiation.
______________________________________________
Equine Vet J. 2017 Jan 24.
The association between exercise-induced pulmonary
haemorrhage and race-day performance in Thorough-
bred racehorses.
Crispe EJ, Lester GD, Secombe CJ, Perera DI
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is com-
monly implicated as a cause of poor athletic performance
but there is limited and conflicting evidence for this as-
sociation.
OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study was to determine if EIPH, based on
endoscopic examination after racing, is associated with a
variety of novel and established performance parameters.
• Volume 19 no 2 • June 2017 •
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