ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE EQUINE BICIPITAL TENDON REGION - A CASE-HISTORY REPORT AND REVIEW OF ANATOMY

The equine shoulder region is difficult to investigate by conventional imaging modalities. Diagnostic ultrasound has proven valuable for inv estigation of soft tissue injuries of the human shoulder. In a horse w ith shoulder lameness, the authors employed diagnostic ultrasound to a ugment the use of conventional radiography. A defect in the subchondra l bone layer of the medial humeral tuberosity, with adjacent bony frag ments were clearly identified with ultrasound. Ultrasound was used for initial evaluation of the bicipital tendon and bursa. The technique w as subsequently used to follow and evaluate the post-operative conditi on of the proximal cranial humerus, bicipital tendon and bursa in this patient. The bicipital regions of 2 immature and 3 adult normal horse s were also examined with to illustrate the normal ultrasonographic an atomy of the cranial shoulder region.