Radiographic Assessment of Bone Cortex to Bone Diameter Ratio of Manus and Pes in Camel

Objective- To measure statistically bone cortex to diameter  (C/D) ratio in metocarpo/metatarsal and proximal phalanges in camel. This ratio may be used in diagnosing possible metabolic and nutritional diseases in camel. Design- Experimental study. Animals- Twelve camel limbs (6 fore limbs & 6 hind limbs)      Procedures- This study was conducted on dorsopalmar/dorsoplantar radiographs of twelve fore and hind limbs of camel. Cortical thickness, bone diameter and C/D ratio of mid metacarpo/metatarsal regions, C/D ratio of metacarpo/metatarsal regions just proximal to its bifurcation and C/D ratio of proximal phalanges were measured on all radiographs. Available data were analyzed statistically and the  average, P-values, and standard deviations are given. Important characteristic of measurements are discussed. Results- C/D ratios of mid metacarpal region and just proximal to its bifurcation were 0.18 and 0.13 respectively. C/D ratios of mid metatarsal region and just proximal to its bifurcation were 0.21 and 0.14 respectively. C/D ratios of mid lateral and medial proximal phalanx of forelimb were 0.21 and 0.22 respectively. C/D ratios of mid lateral and medial proximal phalanx of hind limb were 0.22 and 0.24 respectively. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- This study showed that there were significant differences between C/D ratios of manus and pes measured in all locations except between metacarpal to metatarsal region just proximal to its bifurcation. No acceptable reason was found for this result so it can be attributed to measurement inaccuracy in this site.