Case of the week 1.29.18

Adrien Hespel

Publication Date: 2016-03-06

Details

Service Radiology

Modality: Radiographs

Species: Canine

Area: Limb

8 year old pit-bull mix, was playing in the park. Acutely lame on the right forelimb. Previous history of mast cell tumor.

4 images

There is a close complete fracture of the axial sesamoid of the fifth digit (#7). The fracture fragments are mildly displaced. Subjectively there is mild soft tissue swelling noted dorsally to the 5th digit on the latero-medial projection.

There is moderate amount of carpal swelling, this is associated with a close complete transverse slab fracture of the intermedioradial carpal bone. The osseous fragments are mildly displaced.

Fracture of the sesamoid #7, underlying metacarpophalangeal sesamoid bone fragmentation has to be considered. Slab fracture of the intermedioradial carpal bone and associated soft tissue swelling.

Thrall 6th Edition, page 325

A syndrome of metacarpophalangeal sesamoid bone fragmentation has been reported in several large breeds of dogs, but occurs most commonly in Rottweilers. The underlying cause appears to be osteonecrosis of selected sesamoids, although developmental, traumatic, and degenerative conditions are possible. Sesamoid fragmentation affects mainly the second and seventh palmar sesamoids. The incidence has been reported to be as high as 44% in one group of Rottweilers.