Diagnostic ultrasound in the investigation of septic tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath in 33 cattle

Clinical, radiographic, sonographic, centesis and intraoperative findings in 33 cattle with septic tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath were evaluated retrospectively. A unilateral septic tenosynovitis was diagnosed in 13 cattle. In 20 cattle the contralateral digital flexor tendon sheath or one or more digital joints were affected additionally. Using diagnostic ultrasound (7.5 MHz linear scan), the distended compartments of the digital flexor tendon sheath and, if affected, the distended digital joint recesses could be determined accurately. Depending on the type of inflammation (serous, fibrinous, purulent) the compartments and recesses were filled with anechoic, heterogeneous hypoechoic or echogenic inflammatory exudate. Involvement of the 3 compartments of the tendon sheath varied. Flow-phenomena within the synovial cavity were observed in all cases with liquid effusion. Ultrasonography provided accurate preoperative details of pathological alterations of tendon sheaths, tendons and adjoining digital joints.