Skip to main content Skip to main menu
UF Health University of Florida
Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging College of Veterinary Medicine
LA Radiology Overview

Case reveal

Findings:

  • The lamina is moderately to markedly thickened, most prominent dorsally, with palmar rotation of the distal phalanx relative to the dorsal margin of the hoof wall. The layers of the lamina are less well defined. 
Note the moderate thickening of the dorsal lamina (normal comparison on the right)
  • Along the periarticular margins of the distal interphalangeal joint, mild osteophyte formation is identified. 
  • Within the distal border of the navicular bone, multiple mildly widened synovial invaginations are identified. 
  • The navicular bursa contains mild effusion. 

Conclusions:

  • Chronic rotational laminitis
  • Mild distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthrosis,
  • Mild navicular bursitis with mildly enlarged synovial invaginations

Follow-up:

  • 1 month recheck with therapeutic shoeing: Improved sole depth and rotation of the distal phalanx, supporting a positive treatment response. Patient was comfortable; however, a full lameness evaluation was not performed at that time.
  • The patient was a given a guarded prognosis for return to athletic functions due to more pronounced changes in the right thoracic limb and navicular disease.

A little bit more…

  • Laminitis is defined as the inflammation of the lamina with possible sepration of the epidermal-dermal laminar layers and disruption of blood flow (Murray et al.).
  • Because of the pull of the deep digital flexor tendon on the distal phalanx, compromise to the dorsal lamina can result in palmar/plantar rotation of the distal phalanx in relation to the dorsal hoof wall (Murray et al., Yamada).
  • Radiography is the modality of choice to screen for laminitis in horses (Murray et al.).
  • Degree of rotation doesn’t correlate with the outcome. The presence of cormobidities may have a greater influence on prognosis (Hunt et al., Murray et al.).
  • MRI allows a more detailed visualization of the lamina, with the advantage of providing a more comprehensive evaluation of the soft tissues (Murray et al.).
  • The normal anatomy of the equine hoof was previously described (Grundmann et al., Arble et al.).
HW, hoof wall; L, lamina; C, corium; P3, distal phalanx
Arble et al.
  • The described MRI features of laminitis are similar to those reported with radiography (Murray et al.):
    • laminar gas
    • irregularity of the dorsal aspect of P3
    • divergence between the dorsal aspect of P3 and dorsal hoof wall.
Murray et al.
  • MRI is more sensitive for the evaluation of laminitis. Some horses may have changes apparent on MRI but not radiographs (Murray et al.).
  • Earlier detection of abnormalities in the corium and lamina have been reported with 4.7T MRI (Arble et al.)
  • Infection and abscess formation within the lamina may be detected with MRI for better treatment recommendations (Murray et al.).

References:

  1. Murray RC, Dyson SJ, Schramme MC, Branch M, Woods S. Magnetic resonance imaging of the equine digit with chronic laminitis. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound. 2003 Nov;44(6):609-17.
  2. Hunt RJ. A retrospective evaluation of laminitis in horses. Equine Veterinary Journal. 1993 Jan;25(1):61-4.
  3. Yamada K, Inui T, Itoh M, Yanagawa M, Sato F, Tominari M, Mizobe F, Kishimoto M, Sasaki N. Characteristic findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) for severe chronic laminitis in a Thoroughbred horse. Journal of equine science. 2017;28(3):105-10.
  4. Arble JB, Mattoon JS, Drost WT, Weisbrode SE, Wassenaar PA, Pan X, Hunt RJ, Belknap JK. Magnetic resonance imaging of the initial active stage of equine laminitis at 4.7 T. Veterinary radiology & ultrasound. 2009 Jan;50(1):3-12.
  5. Grundmann IN, Drost WT, Zekas LJ, Belknap JK, Garabed RB, Weisbrode SE, Parks AH, Knopp MV, Maierl J. Quantitative assessment of the equine hoof using digital radiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Equine veterinary journal. 2015 Sep;47(5):542-7.