Comparison of 18F‐sodium fluoride positron emission tomography and computed tomography for imaging of the fetlock in 25 nonracehorses

Abstract

AbstractBackground18F‐sodium fluoride (18F‐NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) has been validated as a useful imaging technique in the racehorse fetlock. The use of 18F‐NaF PET in the nonracehorse fetlock has not been reported.ObjectivesTo describe 18F‐NaF PET findings in nonracehorse fetlocks, to compare with computed tomography (CT) findings and to compare PET findings between horses with and without fetlock pain.Study designRetrospective observational study.MethodsAll horses undergoing 18F‐NaF PET and CT imaging of the fetlock between October 2016 and March 2021 were included in the study. Medical records were reviewed for associated lameness information.ResultsThirty‐six fetlocks (33 front and 3 hind) from 25 horses were included. The interobserver agreement for PET [0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59–0.65)] was higher than for CT [0.47 (95% CI 0.43–0.51)]. Increased 18F‐NaF uptake was most common in the medial subchondral bone of the proximal phalanx (23/36), the dorsomedial (20/36) and dorsosagittal (16/36) metacarpal/metatarsal distal subchondral bone, whereas sclerosis was identified on CT in these areas in 22 of 36 (p > 0.9), 33 of 36 (p = 0.001) and 23 of 36 (p = 0.15), respectively. Significant correlations were found between PET grades and both subchondral sclerosis and resorption CT grades (p < 0.001, Spearman r = 0.19 and 0.21, respectively). Abnormal 18F‐NaF uptake in the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) was identified in 12 of 36 of the fetlocks, which was more common than CT abnormalities (3/36, p = 0.02). Periarticular increased uptake was seen in 7 of 36 fetlocks, whereas osteophytosis was recognised on CT in 20 of 36 (p = 0.1). Maximal standardised uptake values (SUVmax) were significantly higher in painful than in nonpainful fetlocks (22.0 and 11.9, respectively, p = 0.038).Main limitationsRetrospective study and limited sample size.ConclusionsOverall PET and CT findings follow a similar distribution in their location. PET identified more abnormalities in the PSBs than CT. SUVmax is a pertinent factor to take into consideration for the assessment of the clinical significance of findings.