Prognostic value of ultrasonography for equine superficial digital tendon injury

Prognostic value of power doppler ultrasonography for equine superficial digital flexor tendon injury in thoroughbred racehorses
Vet J. 2024 Aug:306:106179. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106179. Epub 2024 Jun 14.
Authors
N Tamura 1 , E Yoshihara 2 , K Seki 3 , N Mae 2 , K Kodaira 3 , M Iimori 2 , Y Yamazaki 3 , H Mita 3 , S Urayama 2 , T Kuroda 4 , M Ohta 4 , Y Kasashima 4
Affiliations

1 Clinical Veterinary Medicine Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shiba 1400-4, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan. Electronic address: tamura@equinst.go.jp.
2 Race Horse Hospital, Ritto Training Centre, Japan Racing Association, Misono 1028, Ritto, Shiga 520-3085, Japan.
3 Race Horse Hospital, Miho Training Centre, Japan Racing Association, Mikoma 2500-2, Miho, Ibaraki 300-0493, Japan.
4 Clinical Veterinary Medicine Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shiba 1400-4, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.

PMID: 38880229
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106179

Abstract

The potential value of hypervascularity detected with power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) within equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) as a prognostic factor of SDFT injury is not clear. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that hypervascularity within SDFT is one of the risk factors for subsequent severe SDFT injury and to evaluate the prognostic value. A prospective cohort study of 97 Thoroughbred racehorses without any clinical signs of SDFT injury was conducted. Six variables of age, body weight, sex, the cross-sectional area of SDFT, PDU signal within SDFT and experience of steeplechase were assessed for the possibility of risk factors of subsequent SDFT injury in follow-up period of 1 year. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used for assessment of the odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) of SDFT injury. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the PDU signal within SDFT was a risk factor for the development of SDFT injury in follow-up period (P = 0.017). The adjusted OR of SDFT injury was significantly higher in PDU positive group than in PDU negative group (OR 3.17, 95 % CIs 1.20-8.35). Although further studies are required, these results would be useful for early detection and/or prevention of development for clinical severe SDFT injury.

Keywords: Equine; Hypervascularity; Injury; Power Doppler; Superficial digital flexor tendon.