Page 378 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Musculoskeletal system: 1.8 Soft-tissue injuries 353

VetBooks.ir 1.698 1.699

Figs. 1.698, 1.699 (1.698) Transverse scan
showing diffuse tendinitis of the long digital extensor
tendon (LDET) in the proximal metatarsal area
The tendon is enlarged (arrows), heterogeneous
and diffusely hypoechogenic. The surrounding soft
tissues (subcutaneous and periosteal) are oedematous
and thickened (S/C). mt3 = third metacarpal bone,
dorsal aspect. (1.699) Longitudinal scan. Note the
enlargement, loss of fibre alignment and loss of
definition of the tendon contours. p = periosteum.

1.700

Fig. 1.700 Transverse scan over the dorsolateral
aspect of the tarsus at the level of the lateral
trochlear ridge of the talus (LTR). The LDE tendon
is relatively echogenic but contains a sagittal,
hypoechogenic tear (white arrow). Granulation
tissue and synovial proliferation extend from the tear
into the sheath cavity (yellow arrow). The tendon
sheath (sh) is markedly distended with thickening
and villous hypertrophy of the synovial membrane
(red arrows).

It is important to identify any tendon involve- the tendon, usually associated with partial loss of
ment. Extensor tendinopathy may be diffuse with organisation of the parenchyma and signs of severe
loss of fibrillar pattern, diffusely decreased echo- synovitis (Fig. 1.700). In cases of complete rupture,
genicity and increased CSA (Fig. 1.698, 1.699). In the tendon stumps will be visible several centimetres
most cases, however, longitudinal tears are observed apart (Fig. 1.701–1.703). Their frayed ends appear
and present as hypoechogenic, sagittal clefts along enlarged, hypoechogenic and markedly thickened.