EQUINE CASE STUDIES
Occupation: Show Horse
Species: Equine
Breed: Palomino
Age: 2
Sex: Filly
History: Chronic right fore lameness first noticed as a yearling. Posterior digital anesthesia alleviates the lameness. Suspect lytic lesions on radiographs.
Findings: Region devoid of signal on the lateral aspect of the flexor surface of the navicular bone. Increased intensity of signal within the spongiosa of the navicular bone. Roughening of the flexor surface of the navicular bone. Increased intensity of signal in an irregular pattern within navicular bone and increased signal in the region of the central eminence.
Impressions amp; Recommendations: Findings are indicative of severe damage to the right fore navicular bone. The areas devoid of signal are consistent with bone lysis and necrosis. The intensity of signal on the STIR sequences indicates the presence of fluid within the navicular bone and is reflective of active inflammatory changes. The changes are considered severe for a young horse and suggestive of unusual trauma to the right navicular bone. With the degree of bone inflammation and lysis, prognosis for return is considered guarded.
