Ultrasonography Description of Metatarsal Tendons and Ligaments of the Caspian Miniature Horse

Objective- To consider the possibility of ultrasonography evaluation of the plantar tendonsand ligaments and prepare a standard reference for it.Design- Descriptive studyAnimals- 7 female healthy Caspian miniature horses'-age 7year- no clinical sign of lamenessand prior to presentation.Procedure- The ultrasonography of the right and the left metatarsal region was performedusing a Pie Medical 100 Falco Vet and an 8MHZ linear transducer. The area forultrasonography was divided to 9 levels (1a-1b-2a-2b-3a-3b-4a-4b-5a), each 3 cm longafterwards.Results- All the structures started to appear with an acceptable contrast and visibility at the 2alevel. SDFT and DDFT were well observed from the level 2a however, no definite borderswere recognizable as ICL (except one case) and echogenicity of DDFT from the 2b level washyperechoic to isoechoic comparing SDFT and SL from this level observed the branching area was hyperechoic in compare with DDFT & SDFT, however MSL & LSL were hypoechoiccomparing SDFT and DDFT.There aren't any difference echogenicity between right and left hind limb.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Investigations have proved that there's no differencebetween the echogenicity of each ligament and tendon in different levels in the left and rightlimbs which was confirmed in the current inspection as wellThe conclusions of the current study on the Caspian horse were showen too that highlycompatible with the previous vestigations in horses on echogenicity and shape of the plantartendons and ligaments. Generally it is assumed that transverse images provide a better image oftendons and ligaments and any injury in any part of the above structures can be diagnosedeasily, however some probable injuries around the tendon may be left unseen in longitudinalimages.