Histology of two rice bodies isolated from the stifle of an adult draught horse stallion

In the human and equine species, different kinds of free floating intra-articular particles are related to certain disorders. Osteochondral fragments formed during osteochondrosis dissecans are the most common finding in the equine species, whereas in humans rice bodies due to rheumatoid arthritis are more frequent. Herein we report a third type of floating body inside the stifle of an adult draught horse stallion, in macroscopic appearance similar to articular rice bodies known in humans. As revealed by histologic examination, the two particles consist of polypoid degenerated structures derived from synovial villi. Their formation was probably induced by ischemia

Prevalence of osteochondrosis in Warmblood horses in Wallonia

peer reviewedOsteochondrosis (OC), a developmental orthopaedic disease, is consecutive to a defect in the endochondral ossification process, and can result in formation of an osteochondral fragment (osteochondrosis dissecans). Our objective is to establish the prevalence of osteochondrosis in Wallonia, and describe the main observed lesions. One hundred forty-two Warmblood horses, aged from 12 to 36 months, underwent a systematic X-ray examination. Sixty-three of these horses (44.4 %) presented one or more OC lesions, 46 (32.4 %) of them with an articular fragment. This prevalence is similar to those observed in Dutch Warmblood horses (44.3 %). The localisation of the lesions was as follows: 25 (17.6 %) of the experimental group showed one or more lesions in the hindlimbs fetlocks, 23 (16.2 %) in the hocks, 21 (14.8 %) in the stifles and 14 (9.9 %) in the forelimbs fetlocks. The medial ridge of the talus is the most frequently injured anatomical site in our study. This lesion was observed in 12 horses (8.4 %), a prevalence that is by far higher than those observed in Dutch Warmblood horses (2.9 %). Not any significant difference was observed between males and females. The high prevalence and the clinical and economic consequences of this disease in the horse’s industry fully justify further research in order to improve the understanding of its pathogenic process.Ann. Méd. Vét., 2008, 152 (3), pp 131-137 Prévalence de l’ostéochondrose chez le cheval de sport en Wallonie VANDER HEYDEN L., SERTEYN D., CAUDRON I., VERWILGHEN D., DELIEGE B., LEJEUNE J.-P. Résumé : L’ostéochondrose (OC) est une affection ostéo-articulaire juvénile, consécutive à une non-ossification de l’os endochondral et pouvant entraîner la présence de fragments ostéochondraux (ostéochondrose dissécante). L’objectif de notre étude est d’établir la prévalence de cette affection en région wallonne, et de décrire les principales lésions observées. Cent quarante-deux poulains de sport nés en Wallonie, âgés de 12 à 36 mois, ont été radiographiés. Soixante-trois de ces poulains (44,4 %) montrent une ou plusieurs lésions d’OC, 46 (32,4 %) d’entre eux avec un fragment articulaire. Cette prévalence est assez proche de celle observée chez les chevaux demi-sang néerlandais (44,3 %). Au niveau localisation, vingt-cinq (17,6 %) de nos chevaux montrent une ou plusieurs lésions au niveau des boulets postérieurs, vingttrois (16,2 %) au niveau des jarrets, vingt-et-un (14,8 %) au niveau des grassets et quatorze (9,9 %) au niveau des boulets antérieurs. La lèvre médiale de la trochlée du talus est le site anatomique du jarret présentant le plus de lésions d’OC avec douze poulains atteints (8,4 %) ; cette proportion est nettement supérieure aux 2,9 % observées chez les demi-sang néerlandais (Vos, 2008). Aucune différence significative n’a été observée entre les mâles et les femelles. La prévalence élevée et les répercussions importantes de cette affection, tant du point vue clinique qu’économique dans la filière équine, justifient pleinement l’approfondissement des études qui sont réalisées sur le sujet

Equine Suture Exostosis: A Review of Cases from a Multicenter Retrospective Study

Simple summary Suture exostosis is a condition affecting the horse's head. The connections between the bone plates that form the horse's face have been shown to react to insult. Horses will then develop a swelling along the face that may be painful. Little is known about this condition and the present research project aimed to investigate horses presented to equine clinics with symptoms of the disorder. It was revealed that the condition can form following trauma, underlying sinus disease, following a surgery or without any apparent cause. Various treatment options to resolve the condition have been reported and the outcomes of those are described in the paper. Most consistently the proper diagnosis and identification and removal of potential bone sequestra are crucial for a timely resolution. Suture exostosis is an intriguing and not uncommon pathology that has to be included in the differential diagnosis for horses with swelling of the head. Although several singular case reports have been published, no large case series is available. The aim of this study is to report a multicentric retrospective collection of suture exostosis cases. Data concerning horses with suture exostosis in the facial region were collected retrospectively. Information regarding breed, age, gender, history, imaging findings, initiated treatment, response to treatment and follow up was recorded. One hundred and five cases of various breeds were reported. Analysis revealed the cases could be grouped into four entities: 45 developed following sino-nasal surgery, 23 following trauma, seven with underlying sinus pathology and 25 idiopathic. Treatment consisted of sequestra removal, plate fixation, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs or no treatment. Whereas initial localized pain fades within few days or weeks, resolution or reduction of the swelling was obtained in most cases after 3 months to 1.5 years. The etiopathogenesis of suture exostosis seems to consist of different entities. Identification of an underlying cause, particularly the presence of a bone sequester and infection is important to speed up resolution and before concluding an idiopathic case. When performing sinusotomies, it is important to provide as little trauma as possible to the surgical site in order to prevent suture exostosis as a complication

Overjet in the horse and its correction

peer reviewedLe surplomb correspond à une projection horizontale des incisives maxillaires par rapport aux incisives mandibulaires. Chez le poulain, dans les cas modérés, un râpage régulier des dents peut suffire à stabiliser la dentition.L o rs de cas plus prononcés, le traitement chiru r gical consiste en l'application d'un fil de cerclage sur le prémaxillaire, tendu entre les incisives et les molaires, afin de réduire la croissance du maxillaire par rapport à la mandibu l e. Chez le cheval plus âgé, les techniques chirurgicales sont plus complexes, et un contrôle régulier est nécessaire pour prévenir les complications du surplom