Monorchidism in three colts

Three monorchid colts were admitted for castration as cryptorchids. Two colts each had one normal descended testis, and the third colt had a small testis in the abdomen. Monorchidism was diagnosed at surgery by locating an incomplete epididymis without a testis. After the incomplete epididymis and other testis were removed, the absence of testicular tissue was confirmed by results of a human chorionic gonadotropin response test.     

Long-term outcome of horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone treated conservatively: 25 cases (1976-1993)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical features of horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone and to report outcome of horses in which treatment did not include surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 25 horses (14 Standardbreds, 6 Thoroughbreds, 5 Quarter Horses). PROCEDURE: Medical records of horses with a slab fracture of the central (n = 9) or third (16) tarsal bone were reviewed. Only horses for which treatment consisted of confinement to a stall were included in this study. Clinical features and radiographic findings were recorded and summarized. Outcome was determined for racing breeds by obtaining official lifetime race results. Outcome for Quarter Horses was determined by phone survey of the owners. RESULTS: 16 (64%) horses had a successful outcome. Ten of 14 (71%) Standardbreds and 2 of 6 Thoroughbreds returned to racing and started at least 5 races after injury. Four of 5 Quarter Horses for which follow-up information was available successfully returned to their previous activity. Sex, age, limb affected, or gait was not associated with final outcome. Percentage of racehorses with central tarsal bone fractures that had a successful outcome (2/7) was significantly less than percentage with third tarsal bone fractures that did (10/13). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that enforced rest without surgical fixation can be an effective therapeutic option for horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone, even if athletic function is expected.     

Suture exostosis with concurrent nasal septum chondrosarcoma in a horse

A 15‐year‐old Hanoverian mare presented with a 10‐day history of facial swelling in the right maxillary and frontal regions, left epiphora and intermittent right epistaxis. Radiographs revealed suture exostosis of both nasofrontal sutures and a deviated and thickened nasal septum. Computed tomography (CT) of the skull revealed exostosis of the nasolacrimal sutures and ducts bilaterally of both nasofrontal sutures and of the right zygomatocomaxillary and lacrimomaxillary sutures. The mid‐to‐caudal aspect of the nasal septum was thickened and had multiple well demarcated hypoattenuated regions within the septum. Histological examination of biopsies taken from the right nasofrontal suture and the nasal septal mass revealed suture exostosis and nasal septum chondrosarcoma. The horse was treated with rest and anti‐inflammatories. The facial swelling and left epiphora were improved at 7 months telephone follow‐up. This report is the first to describe a nasal septum chondrosarcoma in a horse. Additionally, we suggest that the suture exostosis may have developed due to an alteration of the biomechanics of the skull sutures secondary to the septal tumour.     

Effect of focused and radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy on equine bone microdamage

OBJECTIVES : To determine whether bone microcracks are altered after application of focused and radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) to the equine distal limb. STUDY DESIGN : An ex vivo experimental model. SAMPLE POPULATION : A contralateral limb specimen was obtained from 11 Thoroughbred racehorses with a unilateral catastrophic injury. Distal limb specimens were also obtained from 5 non-racing horses. METHODS : Three separate skin-covered bone segments were obtained from the mid-diaphysis of the metacarpus (MC3) or metatarsus (MT3). Focused (9,000 shockwaves, 0.15 mJ/mm2, 4 Hz) and radial (9,000 shockwaves, 0.175 mJ/mm2, 4 Hz) ESWT treatments were randomized to the proximal and distal segments and the middle segment was used as a treatment control for pre-existing microcracks. After treatment, bone specimens were bulk-stained with basic fuchsin and microcracks were quantified in transverse calcified bone sections. RESULTS : ESWT had small but significant effects on microcracks. Microcrack density (Cr.Dn) and microcrack surface density (Cr.S.Dn) were increased after focused ESWT, whereas Cr.Le was increased after radial ESWT. In racing Thoroughbreds, Cr.Le increased with increased number of races undertaken. Cr.Dn and Cr.S.Dn were not significantly influenced by the number of races undertaken. CONCLUSION : ESWT has small but significant effects on bone microcracking ex vivo. CLINICAL RELEVANCE : These preliminary data suggest that ESWT has the potential to increase bone microcracking in equine distal limb bone in vivo. Such effects may be more pronounced in Thoroughbreds that are actively being raced, because in vivo microcracking increases with increased number of races undertaken.     

宇宙线散落核素7Be在山区表土层中的分布特征及侵蚀示踪原理

宇宙线散落核素⁷Be具稳定的物质来源和53.3天的半衰期,提供了示踪环境微粒季节性迁移的必要条件;其在土粒中主要存在于Fe-Mn氧化物及有机质结合相,适应于季节性微粒迁移示踪;它在表土层中的垂直分布特征提供了示踪微粒季节性迁移的充分条件。⁷Be在表土层中的累计值、表观比活度、最大渗透深度及相对侵蚀(或堆积)速率是土粒迁移的示踪参数。     

Treatment options and long-term outcomes of horses with subchondral lucencies of the medial femoral condyle

Subchondral lucencies (SCL) occur in the equine medial femoral condyle (MFC) and can cause lameness and impair performance. Treatment of MFC SCL has evolved over the last 40 years from rest alone to cyst injection to several surgical procedures. Horses most commonly develop MFC SCL in the first 18 months of life, and expectations for performance and sales can impact therapeutic decisions. These complications mean that a single treatment plan cannot be applied to every SCL. An additional issue is accurate long-term performance data. Long-term follow-up can also be difficult to obtain due to horse movement, confidentiality issues after sales, and the complexities of finding new owners and getting their cooperation. This short communication reviews available racing information from publications reporting treatment of MFC SCL and provides long-term follow-up racing data on 13 horses treated with a transcondylar screw. Horses receiving a transcondylar screw raced as well as horses treated with other procedures and had longer careers, further supporting the use of this technique in the treatment of MFC SCL.