Diagnosis of acute peritendinitis of front limb flexor tendons by thermography, ultrasonography and radiography in horses

SUMMARYIn this study, comparisons of early diagnosis and healing process of acuteinflammation in peritendon by thermographic, ultrasonographic and radiographictechniques in various breeds of stallion and mares were investigated.Values of examination and measurement of front limb of flexor tendons m.flexor digitorum superficialis and m. flexor digitorum profundus were recorded andfollowed for 14 days. Before enduring egzersize, 20, 35, 50 and 80 mins afteregzersize, 7th day and 14th day, images were recorded by an thermography device.The statistically significant differences between measured values of infrared raysfrom the body were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan tests.There were statistically significant differences in thermographic values betweenbefore egzersize and after egzersize (p<0,05). Moreover, using Chi-squareindependence test, there was a statistically significant difference between heat inregio I and age of animal in left front limb and it was also observed that there was acorrelation between heat and sex at 20 min after egzersize (p<0,05). Inultrasonographic examination and measurement before enduring egzersize and 1.5hour after thermographic examination, at 7th and 14th days distance, length, borderand area of tehnods were obtained. An 8 MHz linear probe was used transversallywith an interface and longitudinally without interface. No statistically significantdifference was observed in ultrasonographic values. (p>0,05). X-ray analysisshowed no visible images of tendons.Data obtained here showed that thermography has superior features, and verysensitive to detect minute temperature changes. Not alone but used in combinationwith other diagnostic techniques (ultrasonography, radiography, scintigarphy etc) itwill support the diagnosis.Key words: Horse, Tendon, Thermography, Ultrasonography, Radiography,