Generalized medullary infarction of the long bones in a horse

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 202; no. 4; p. 621
• Main Authors: Fenger, C.K. (The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH), Bertone, J.J, Biller, D, Merryman, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.02.1993
• Subjects: Animals; Biopsy - veterinary; Bone Marrow - blood supply; Bone Marrow - pathology; BONE MARROW DISORDERS; BONES; CABALLOS; CASE STUDIES; CHEVAL; DIAGNOSIS; DIAGNOSTIC; DIAGNOSTICO; ENFERMEDADES VASCULARES; ESTUDIOS DE CASOS PRACTICOS; ETUDE DE CAS; Female; Femur - blood supply; Femur - pathology; Horse Diseases - pathology; HORSES; HUESOS; Infarction - veterinary; MALADIE VASCULAIRE; MEDULLARY OSTEONECROSIS; Osteonecrosis - pathology; Osteonecrosis - veterinary; SINTOMAS; SYMPTOME; SYMPTOMS; Tibia - blood supply; Tibia - pathology; TRASTORNOS DE LA MEDULA OSEA; TROUBLE DE LA MOELLE OSSEUSE; VASCULAR DISEASES
• ISSN: 0003-1488; 1943-569X
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.1993.202.04.621

Generalized medullary infarction of the long bones was diagnosed in a 12-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare. The mare was referred after a 6-week course of shifting weight on her hind limbs, and kicking. Physical examination revealed mild stifle joint distention and withdrawal reactions to digital pressure over the long bones. Radiography revealed patchy areas of medullary sclerosis in the distal portion of each femur and proximal portion of each tibia. A full-thickness cortical and cancellous tibial biopsy revealed infarcted bone marrow, with cortical and periosteal osteonecrosis. The cause of the intramedullary infarction could not be determined, but might have been attributable to cumulative bone stress resulting from mild primary hyperparathyroidism and some unidentified inflammatory factor.