Mathys Rebecca A, Schmitz Thomas R, Geyer Hans, Borel Nicole, Hilbe Monika, Ohlerth Stefanie, Bischofberger Andrea S
Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Animals (Basel). 2025 Jul 7;15(13):1995. doi: 10.3390/ani15131995.
This study described, assessed and correlated ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, and histological findings in the sacroiliac joints of adult Warmblood horse cadavers. In total, 25 joints from 15 horses were examined post-mortem using transrectal ultrasonography and helical computed tomography. Findings on computed tomography were graded in the caudal joint third (caudally) and for the entire joint as mild, moderate, or severe. In total, 11 joints from nine horses were evaluated histologically. All joints (100%) showed abnormalities on computed tomography, and 92% (23/25) displayed abnormal ultrasonographic findings. The most common ultrasonographic findings were osteophytes (92%), joint effusion (76%), and sacral/iliac bone modeling (76%). Computed tomography revealed osteophytes (92% caudally, 100% overall), sclerosis (72% caudally, 88% overall), subchondral bone lesions (60% caudally, 88% overall), and enthesophytes (60% caudally, 68% overall). The most severe CT findings occurred caudally (44%), whereas 24% occurred cranially,16% in the mid portion of the SIJ, and 16% were multifocally present in the SIJ Histological analysis showed degenerative changes in the cartilage, subchondral bone, and the joint capsule. Horses with more pronounced imaging abnormalities also showed corresponding histological degeneration. Significant correlations were found between computed tomographic findings caudally and in the entire joint (r = 0.915, < 0.001, = 25), and between imaging and histological findings (computed tomography: r = 0.731, = 0.011, = 11; ultrasonography: r = 0.67, = 0.024, = 11). Non-significant correlations were observed between mean ultrasonographic and computed-tomographic grades (r = 0.35, = 0.087, = 25). Findings suggest these structural changes may reflect adaptation to joint loading. Transrectal ultrasonography appears suitable as a first-line diagnostic tool. However, future studies are essential to compare the diagnostic imaging findings of SIJs in asymptomatic and symptomatic horses to elucidate their clinical relevance.
本研究描述、评估并关联了成年温血马尸体骶髂关节的超声、计算机断层扫描和组织学检查结果。总共对15匹马的25个关节进行了尸检，采用经直肠超声检查和螺旋计算机断层扫描。计算机断层扫描结果在关节尾侧三分之一（尾侧）以及整个关节按轻度、中度或重度分级。总共对9匹马的11个关节进行了组织学评估。所有关节（100%）在计算机断层扫描上均显示异常，92%（23/25）有异常超声检查结果。最常见的超声检查结果是骨赘（92%）、关节积液（76%）和骶骨/髂骨重塑（76%）。计算机断层扫描显示骨赘（尾侧92%，整体100%）、硬化（尾侧72%，整体88%）、软骨下骨病变（尾侧60%，整体88%）和附着点骨赘（尾侧60%，整体68%）。最严重的计算机断层扫描结果出现在尾侧（44%），而24%出现在头侧，16%出现在骶髂关节中部，16%在骶髂关节多灶性出现。组织学分析显示软骨、软骨下骨和关节囊有退行性改变。影像学异常更明显的马匹也显示出相应的组织学退变。在尾侧和整个关节的计算机断层扫描结果之间（r = 0.915，P < 0.001，n = 25），以及影像学和组织学结果之间（计算机断层扫描：r = 0.731，P = 0.011，n = 11；超声检查：r = 0.67，P = 0.024，n = 11）发现了显著相关性。超声检查和计算机断层扫描平均分级之间观察到非显著相关性（r = 0.35，P = 0.087，n = 25）。研究结果表明这些结构变化可能反映了对关节负荷的适应。经直肠超声检查似乎适合作为一线诊断工具。然而，未来的研究对于比较无症状和有症状马匹骶髂关节的诊断影像学结果以阐明其临床相关性至关重要。
