ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE DORSAL AND LATERAL ASPECTS OF THE EQUINE CARPUS - TECHNIQUE AND NORMAL APPEARANCE

The normal ultrasonographic appearance of the dorsal and lateral soft tissue structures and anatomic landmarks of the equine carpus useful i n clinical imaging are described. Both limbs of 5 cadavers and 5 clini cally sound adult horses were imaged using a 7.5 MHz sector transducer . At the dorsal aspect of the carpus and distal radius, the extensor c arpi radialis- and the common digital extensor tendon and their tendon sheaths were easily identified. These two tendons are the most promin ent structures in this region. Smaller and more difficult to identify are the tendon and tendon sheath of the extensor carpi obliquus-, the lateral digital extensor- and the ulnaris lateralis muscle. The ultras onographic appearance and course through the carpal region of the tend ons and tendon sheaths mentioned are described. Other soft tissue stru ctures examined include the lateral collateral ligament, the carpal jo int capsule and the distal articular cartilage of the radius. Ultrason ographic findings correlated well with gross anatomy in the cadavers l imbs.