Computertomographic study on the equine hoof affected by laminitis

Reese, Sven ; Huskamp, B.; Bragulla, H. H.; Budras, K. D. and Petzoldt, S. (1997): Computertomographic study on the equine hoof affected by laminitis. In: Der Praktische Tierarzt, Vol. 78, No. SI: pp. 46-50

Abstract

Laminitis is an extremely painful condition which requires intensive andoften long-term treatment, Even after months or years of therapy theoutcome might still be unfavourable, the condition prooving to beincurable. Considering the economical questions and the severe welfareconsequences caused by this problem the importance of a reliableprognosis becomes evident. The coffin bone is suspended in the hoofcapsule. The bond between the coffin bone and the wall of the hoofcapsule is established by the suspensory apparatus of the coffin bone.Laminitis is the most important disease of this apparatus. X-ray andultrasonography have turned out to be insufficient in visualising thesuspensory apparatus of the coffin bone. In computertomography howeverpathological changes can be localized and demonstrated in great detail.On ct-scans of healthy hooves two zones of the suspensory apparatus canbe distinguished: A section of low radiographic density adjacent to thecoffin bone and a section of higher radiographic density in theperiphery. The sections are separated by a distinct line levelling withthe border of the basal third of the horny lamellae. In light cases oflaminitis this line is blurred. Chronic laminitis is accompanied byexcessive production of cap horn in the wall segment (scar horn inclinical terms) represented by a line of lower radiographic density inthe ct-scan. In severe cases of chronic laminitis necrosis of thelamellar apparatus and production of new lamellae can be observed in thescan. Reactive changes in structure (atrophy, sclerosis) and contour(exostosis) of the coffin bone are frequent consequences of chroniclaminitis. Localisation and extension of these alterations are importantcriteria for prognosis and can be assessed in the ct-scan. In comparisonto conventional radiography, computertomography holds fundamentaladvantages. Type, severity and extension of pathological changes in thesuspensory apparatus of the coffin bone can be diagnosed clearly.Reactive changes of the coffin bone can be assessed. In conclusion dataobtained by the technique of computertomography offer valuableinformation for prognosis and treatment strategy of laminitis.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Veterinary Medicine > Department of Veterinary Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Anatomie, Histologie und Embryologie
• Subjects: 500 Science > 590 Animals (zoology)
• ISSN: 0032-681X
• Language: English