Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2020; 33(04): A15-A26
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1714965
Poster Session Abstracts
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Eosinophilic Synovitis in a Horse following Methylprednisolone Acetate Injection in the Distal Tarsal Joints

Sloan PB
1   Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States
,
K Meichner
2   Department of Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States
,
S Thompson
3   Estrella Equine, Aiken, South Carolina, United States
,
Williams JM
4   College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
20 July 2020 (online)

 

Objective: To report a case of bilateral eosinophilic tarsal synovitis following intraarticular injection of methylprednisolone acetate, triamcinolone, and hyaluronic acid.

Materials and Methods: A 7-year-old Trakehner gelding developed bilateral, severe tarsocrural joint effusion following injection methylprednisolone acetate, triamcinolone, hyaluronic acid, and amikacin. The right forelimb distal interphalangeal joint was medicated with triamcinolone, betamethasone, hyaluronic acid, and amikacin, and did not develop any appreciable lameness or effusion. The tarsal joints were lavaged and medicated with an intraarticular antibiotic, and the patient was administered systemic phenylbutazone and restricted to stall confinement. Cytologic examination of the joint fluid revealed eosinophilic synovitis

Results: Synovitis improved following treatment, and the lameness and joint effusion were resolved within 2 weeks. The horse returned to his previous level of work 1 month following treatment.

Conclusion: Lameness secondary to eosinophilic synovitis resolved following joint lavage, resulting in a return to athletic performance.

Clinical Significance: While rare, the occurrence of eosinophilic synovitis following joint injection can occur. Interestingly, the reaction occurred in the joints receiving methylprednisolone acetate and not in the joint injected with other medications. All joints were injected during the same episode and all joints were administered hyaluronic acid and triamcinolone.

Acknowledgment: There was no proprietary interest or funding provided for this project.