 History:
Nine year old Arabian mare that presented to Animal Imaging for an MRI of the right front carpal region. The horse has been intermittently lame for two months. Swelling has been noted above and below the carpus on the lateral aspect in the past. The swelling seems to respond to poultices, ice, etc., but without bandaging, the swelling may reappear. On a recent lameness exam, no improvement was noted after blocking up through the origin of the suspensory. An ulnar nerve block alleviated the lameness 85 percent. Ultrasound revealed a distended carpal canal with possible hemorrhage. Radiographs of the carpus were within normal limits. Soundness was achieved by blocking the flexor sheath. |
MRI Findings: Multiple sequences show the presence of a rupture and abnormality to the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor, otherwise known as the superior check ligament. This has an abnormal hyperintensity, lack of integrity, and marked fluid accumulation in assocation. The ligament is damaged from its origin near the medial aspect of the distal radius all the way to the insertion and blending with the superficial digital flexor tendon. A large amount of fluid present within the tendon sheath exists from proximal to the carpus to the distal extent of the sheath. 
Animal Imaging 
