Magnetic resonance imaging of the normal dromedary camel tarsus

Abstract Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most versatile and informative imaging modality for the diagnosis of locomotor injuries in many animal species; however, veterinary literature describing the MRI of the dromedary camel tarsus is lacking. Our purpose was to describe and compare the MRI images of twelve cadaveric tarsi, examined in a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner, with their corresponding anatomical gross sections. Turbo spin-echo (TSE) T1-weighted (T1), T2-weighted (T2), proton density-weighted (PD), and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences were obtained in 3 planes. Tarsi were sectioned in sagittal, dorsal, and transverse planes. MRI images from different sequences and planes were described and compared with the anatomical sections.Results: The soft and osseous tissues of the dromedary camel tarsus corresponded extensively with the gross anatomic sections. T1 and PD images provided high anatomical details and the synovial fluid had high signal intensity on T2, PD, and STIR sequences and intermediate signal intensity on T1 images. The tibial cochlea, tarsal bones, and the proximal metatarsus were evaluated in all planes. The sagittal and dorsal images were useful for the evaluation of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Articular cartilage had homogenous intermediate signal intensity on the T1 images and low signal intensity on the T2 and PD images. The Subchondral and cortical bone had low signal intensity on all sequences, and the cancellous bone expressed heterogeneous signal intensity on PD, T1, and T2 images. The tarsal tendons and ligaments had low signal intensity in all sequences including: the tendons of fibularis tertius, long digital extensor, cranial tibial, fibularis longus, lateral digital extensor muscles; the common tendon of the caudal tibial and lateral digital flexor muscles; the medial digital flexor tendon; the long and short bundles of the medial and lateral collateral ligaments; the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons; and the long plantar ligament. Conclusions: MRI images provided a thorough evaluation of the normal dromedary camel tarsus. Information provided in the current study is expected to serve as a basis for interpretation in clinical situations.