Relationship between CT-Derived Bone Mineral Density and UTE-MR-Derived Porosity Index in Equine Third Metacarpal and Metatarsal Bones

Carola Riccarda Daniel, Sarah Elizabeth Taylor, Samuel McPhee, Uwe Wolfram, Tobias Schwarz, Stefan Sommer, Lucy E Kershaw

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Fatigue-related subchondral bone injuries of the third metacarpal/metatarsal (McIII/MtIII) bones are common causes of wastage, and they are welfare concerns in racehorses. A better understanding of bone health and strength would improve animal welfare and be of benefit for the racing industry. The porosity index (PI) is an indirect measure of osseous pore size and number in bones, and it is therefore an interesting indicator of bone strength. MRI of compact bone using traditional methods, even with short echo times, fail to generate enough signal to assess bone architecture as water protons are tightly bound. Ultra-short echo time (UTE) sequences aim to increase the amount of signal detected in equine McIII/MtIII condyles. Cadaver specimens were imaged using a novel dual-echo UTE MRI technique, and PI was calculated and validated against quantitative CT-derived bone mineral density (BMD) measures. BMD and PI are inversely correlated in equine distal Mc/MtIII bone, with a weak mean r value of -0.29. There is a statistically significant difference in r values between the forelimbs and hindlimbs. Further work is needed to assess how correlation patterns behave in different areas of bone and to evaluate PI in horses with and without clinically relevant stress injuries.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2780
Pages (from-to)1-12
Number of pages12
JournalAnimals
Volume13
Issue number17
Early online date31 Aug 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2023

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Relationship between CT-derived bone mineral density and UTE-MR-derived porosity index in equine third metacarpal and metatarsal bones.

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