Summary
Objectives: Assessment of the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in treatment planning
in suspected cases of quittor in the horse.
Methods: Five horses with chronic discharging tracts at the level of the foot underwent MRI
for treatment planning.
Results: The MRI examination revealed variable involvement of soft tissue and osseous structures
of the foot in addition to abnormalities of the ungular cartilages in all cases. In
two cases, follow-up MRI examination was performed. Four of five horses had a successful
outcome, with three of these undergoing only one surgical procedure and one being
managed medically.
Clinical significance: We believe that the use of preoperative MRI facilitated accurate determination of
the structures involved in cases of quittor, guiding the management, surgical approach
and postoperative therapy.
Keywords
MRI - quittor - foot penetration - foot abscess - ungular cartilage
