Summary
Objectives: To compare the difference and agreement of the morphology of distal border synovial
invaginations on a dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique (DPr-PaDiO) projection with
hoof-specific angle versus computed tomography.
Methods: Computed tomography (CT) images and a DPr-PaDiO radiographic projection with hoof-specific
angle were obtained on 50 cadaveric forefeet from 25 Warmblood horses. Computed tomography
was assumed to be the gold standard. The number, shape and depth of penetration of
distal border synovial invaginations into the distal sesamoid bone were evaluated
with both methods, and the comparison of their measurements was statistically described.
Results: Significantly more invaginations were seen on CT compared to radiography, with an
observed average difference of 1.2. In none of the cases did radiography have a higher
number than that observed with CT. No statistically significant difference for depth
between CT and the DPr-PaDiO projection was seen, however, there was quite a large
variation of the actual difference of measurements against their mean found. Radiography
was underestimated when high mean values applied. The agreement between both modalities
for shape was moderate to good. A very high specificity of the specific DPr-PaDiO
projection for shape was found (97%).
Clinical significance: The radiographic projection with hoof-specific angle differs significantly from CT
concerning the number and depth of the distal border synovial invaginations. Therefore,
this specific view may not be considered useful in the evaluation of these invaginations.
Keywords
Distal sesamoid bone - warmblood horse - synovial invagination - radiography - computed
tomography