Buffaloes represent a major source of milk production, especially in developing countries including Egypt. The buffalo foot is frequently involved in a large proportion of lameness cases. The relatively small size and complexity of its structures often render the radiographic evaluation of the foot challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive imaging technique that is regarded as both safe and accurate for assessment of the foot disorders in both man and animals. The purpose of the current investigation was to describe the MRI anatomy of buffalo foot using cadaveric hind feet. The feet were subjected to consecutive MRI scanning using a 0.3 Tesla scanner. Both T1-weighted (T1-W) and T2-weighted (T2-W) spin-echo pulse sequences were applied in dorsal, sagittal and transverse planes. The heterogeneity of signal intensities noted amongst foot components allowed for clear differentiation of bones, tendons, ligaments, adipose tissue and synovial fluid. The T1-W images provided an excellent overview of the foot. They were valuable for visualizing the bones and the alignment of tendons and ligaments. The T2-W images were particularly useful for the evaluation of synovial structures such as tendon sheaths and joint cavities. A communication between the two plantar sacs of the metatarsophalangeal (fetlock) joints was evident in T2-W images. MRI findings were further confirmed using relevant gross anatomical sections. The present study establishes a detailed MRI anatomic reference of buffalo foot that could help veterinary researchers, clinicians and surgeons for increasing the accuracy of interpretation of foot MRI scans of both healthy and diseased animals.
Keywords: buffalo; foot; magnetic resonance imaging; sectional anatomy.
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