Recent advances in articular cartilage evaluation using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Authors: Nelson B B, Kawcak C E, Barrett M F, McIlwraith C W, Grinstaff M W, Goodrich L R
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Articular cartilage damage underpins many performance-limiting conditions in horses, yet its early degenerative changes remain notoriously difficult to visualise using conventional radiography, leaving practitioners reliant on clinical signs and functional assessment. Nelson and colleagues reviewed the current landscape of advanced imaging modalities—specifically computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—that can provide volumetric cartilage assessment and quantifiable data on both cartilage morphology and biochemical composition, capabilities far beyond what traditional techniques offer. Whilst CT excels at detecting structural changes and calculating cartilage thickness and volume, MRI provides superior soft-tissue contrast and can characterise cartilage composition through specialised sequences (such as T2 mapping and sodium imaging), enabling detection of early degenerative changes before morphological loss becomes apparent. The review highlights a significant evidence gap: many advanced imaging protocols have been extensively validated in human orthopaedics but remain minimally investigated in equine subjects, meaning their diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility in horses remain uncertain. For equine professionals involved in lameness diagnosis and prognosis, this work underscores both the promise of multimodal imaging for early cartilage assessment and the pressing need for clinical research to establish evidence-based protocols specific to equine joint anatomy and pathology, particularly in high-value performance animals where early intervention could alter outcomes.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •CT and MRI should be considered when early cartilage damage is suspected but conventional radiographs appear normal, particularly in high-value performance horses
- •These advanced imaging modalities enable more precise characterization of joint pathology, potentially improving treatment decisions and prognosis estimates
- •Further research is needed to establish standardized protocols and clinical thresholds for equine cartilage evaluation using CT and MRI techniques
Key Findings
- •CT and MRI provide superior volumetric joint assessment and morphological characterization of articular cartilage compared to routine diagnostic imaging
- •Both imaging modalities can detect early degenerative changes in equine cartilage that are difficult to identify with conventional radiography
- •Numerous quantitative and morphological evaluation techniques developed for human subjects have received minimal investigation in equine applications