Dog Pinscher/German sheperd dog, female castrated, 5 years of age, presented for lameness front right, localised on the carpus radiographs of the right carpus were taken. Radiographic examination Dorsopalmar and mediolateral view of the right carpus Radiographic findings and diagnosis
- There is mild focal soft tissue swelling centred on the dorso and medial carpus.
- In this region, there is a very smooth and solid new bone formation on the mediodistal and cranial radius, at the level of the physeal scar (arrow).
- The radiologic diagnosis is chronic tendinopathy of the abductor pollicis longus muscle.
Radiographic examination Close up of the DP view of the right carpus Comments
- Dogs affected by stenosing tenosynovitis/tendinopathy of the abductor pollicis longus muscle are mainly large breed dogs of varying ages.
- Usually the lameness (of different degrees) is most severe after rest and exacerbated by vigorous exercise.
- Radiographic changes are seen with chronicity of the disease. Radiographs are characterised by a very deep and distinct distal radial sulcus, soft tissue swelling and irregular mineralisation medial to the radial sulcus with varying degree of new bone proliferation at the dorsomedial aspect of the styloid process of the radius, sometimes with a tubular appearance, in the area of the fibroosseous canal of the abductor pollicis longus muscle.
- The disease has been reported being bilateral in 23% of the cases.
- Differential diagnosis includes enthesiopathies at the origin of the straight part of the short collateral ligaments, where irregular new bone formation are seen at the radial tubercle above the styloid process.
- In a recent study, it was confirmed that the soft tissue swelling medial to the distal radius and carpus represents abductor pollicis longus tendon sheath thickening.
