Conflicting MRI Results

[fastfeet001]

This horse had an MRI of right front foot. I have received 3 completely different MRI interpretations:

Radiologist report:
Nothing abnormal

Equine surgeon at teaching hospital:
Lateral collateral ligament of coffin joint desmitis. (read by equine surgeon)

Equine surgeon at private clinic who regularly does MRI’s:
Medial collateral ligament desmitis of pastern joint, medial collateral ligament desmitis of coffin joint (slight) , medial suspensory ligament desmosis

Has anyone had similar experience? These are so varied, it is pretty frustrating and I am unsure how to proceed with no consistent interpretation of images.

One vet said to retire horse based on findings (the vet diagnosing LCL desmitis). One vet said rest and some regenerative therapy would give horse ability to return to jumping career (the vet diagnosing MCL desmitis of pastern).

Thanks for any feedback/personal experiences!

[Simkie]

Soooooooo common. In vet medicine and human medicine both.

Getting another read or two from a boarded radiologist and or very experienced lameness specialist who reads a ton of MRI is a good way to proceed.

[hoopoe]

I would seek a further opinion of a radiologist at vet school ( or a different one) and ask for secondary opinion of surgeon. Often there is a panel review team for this in vet schools

[Laurierace]

I remember my vet telling me when MRIs first became a thing for horses that they were all freaking out thinking they were seeing catastrophic things but when human radiologists who were used to reading MRIs reviewed them they were like that is nothing. I am sure they have gotten better at it over the years but I think I would put my faith in whoever reads them the most often.

[hoopoe]

Absolutely, which is why I would get with the /another vet school radiology department

[fastfeet001]

It makes it very difficult to make a plan for how to treat the horse!
One surgeon who read the images told me I should have done both feet for comparison. It has become overwhelming.

Makes me question my decision of getting an MRI. It just opened up a whole can of worms…

[fivestrideline]

@fastfeet001

One surgeon who read the images told me I should have done both feet for comparison.

This is what my vet does with ultrasound when looking at legs. Since “normal” for a particular horse can look wildly different from “normal” for the average, comparing both legs can be helpful.

This is a very frustrating situation as an owner though… I would trust the vet that looks at a lot of MRIs and/or get a second opinion from one who does.

[GoodTimes]

That’s unfortunate that they didn’t do both feet. I had a standing MRI done of my mare in the spring, it’s their policy to do both feet for comparison. Since the left front was causing more issues they also went a little higher on that side and imaged the fetlock.
The vet at the clinic is quite experienced reading MRI’s but she opted to send the images to a radiologist at a vet school in the states (we’re in Canada). She agreed with everything on the report and helped us make a plan. Luckily we didn’t have any soft tissue involvement, just mild bone bruising.

I agree with others. Find a board certified veterinary radiologist and get their opinion.