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Stenosing tenosynovitis of the abductor pollicis longus muscle causes chronic front limb lameness in dogs. The
lesion, similar to de Quervains tenosynovitis in people, is caused by repetitive movements of the carpus. Thirty
dogs with front limb lameness, painful carpal flexion, and a firm soft tissue swelling medial to the carpus
were examined prospectively. Seven dogs had bilateral abductor pollicis longus tenosynovitis. Radiographs of
the carpus were characterized by a deeper radiolucent medial radial sulcus and bony proliferations medial
and slightly cranial to the distal radius, resulting in stenosis of the tendon sheath and subsequent tendinitis.
Ultrasonographic examination of the firm soft tissue swelling medial to the carpus was characterized by an
irregular hypoechoic abductor pollicis longus tendon or tendinitis in 22 of 37 dogs. Nineteen of 37 abductor
pollicis longus tendon sheaths were fluid-filled and all tendon sheaths were thickened, more hyperechoic, with
small hyperechoic mineralizations embedded in the connective tissue of the abductor pollicis longus tendon
sheath in 25 dogs. Enthesopathy of the abductor pollicis longus tendon was identified in seven dogs. While
radiographs of stenosing tenosynovitis of the abductor pollicis longus are helpful in visualizing the deep radial
sulcus and osteophytes medial to the distal radius, ultrasonography is useful to distinguish between lesions of
the tendon or tendon sheath and to determine thickness and fluid content of the abductor pollicis longus tendon
C 2012 Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.
sheath.
Key words: abductor pollicis longus muscle, dog, stenosing tenosynovitis, ultrasound.
Introduction
135
136
and fibrosis are readily appreciated.15, 16 The histopathologic appearance of the thickened abductor pollicis longus
tendon sheath in people is characterized by accumulation of
mucopolysaccharide and evidence of myxoid degeneration
and chondroid metaplasia.17
Stenosing tenosynovitis of the abductor pollicis longus
has been reported in dogs24 and treatment has been
evaluated.1 The dogs presented with chronic front limb
lameness and a firm swelling medial to the distal radius.
Flexion and rotation of the carpus caused pain.
Radiographs of the carpus in dogs with abductor pollicis longus tenosynovitis were characterized by a distinct distal radial sulcus, soft tissue swelling, and irregular mineralization located medial to the radial sulcus with
varying mineralization.15 Histopathologic evaluation of
these tendon sheaths reveal similar findings as in de Quervains disease with thickening and chondroid or osseous
metaplasia.1, 2, 4
Ultrasonography has been reported to be of little value as
a diagnostic tool for abductor pollicis longus tenosynovitis
in dogs.8 In a previous study, 59 abductor pollicis longus
tendons and tendon sheaths in 30 fresh cadaver large-breed
dogs were examined ultrasonographically and measured.6
The purpose of the present study was to determine the
value of ultrasonography in diagnosing tenosynovitis of
the abductor pollicis longus in dogs and to characterize the
ultrasonographic findings.
2012
137
Ultrasonography
35
31
37
6
36
(37)*
22
19
37
25
7
Soft tissue swelling (ultrasonography) subdivided into lesions of the tendon and tendon sheath.
measurements were compared to previous data6 with a normal value of 1.21.9 mm for the tendon and <2.0 mm
for the tendon sheath. Measurements were also compared
to the nonaffected contralateral abductor pollicis longus
tendon. Abductor pollicis longus tendon thickening was
graded by using a 3-point scale according to the following
measurements: grade 0: normal, <2.0 mm; grade 1: mild
thickening, 2.0 to <2.5 mm; grade 2: moderate to severe
thickening, 2.5 mm. A 4-point system was used to evaluate tendon sheath thickening: grade 0: normal, <2.0 mm;
grade 1: mild thickening, 2.0 to <3.0 mm; grade 2: moderate thickening, 3.0 to <4.0 mm; grade 3: severe thickening,
4.0 mm.
Results
A total of 37 carpi had lesions of the abductor pollicis
longus. Seven of 30 dogs (23%) had evidence of bilateral
abductor pollicis longus tenosynovitis, 10 (33%) had lesions
of the right abductor pollicis longus and 13 dogs (43%) had
changes on the left. Radiographic and ultrasonographic
findings are summarized in Table 1.
The nonaffected contralateral carpi (n = 23) were radiographically normal. A soft tissue swelling medial and
dorsal to the distal radius and carpus was visible on all
radiographs of affected limbs (37/37 = 100%). In 35 of
37 radiographs of the distal radius (95%), the medial sulcus was deeper than the nonaffected limb, appearing more
radiolucent with radiopaque contours (Fig. 2). Bony proliferations and osteophytes either in or around the radial
groove were seen in 31/37 carpi (84%). These osteophytes
were either singular in the groove or more extensive with irregular tubular proliferations extending beyond the styloid
process (Fig. 3). These bone formations were presumed to
be caused by ossification of the abductor pollicis longus tendon sheath. Enthesopathies of the abductor pollicis longus
were visible in 6 of 37 carpal radiographs (16%), recognizable as osteophytes and periosteal reactions at the medial
aspect of the proximal aspect of the first metacarpal bone.
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FIG. 4. Ultrasound image of the normal abductor pollicis longus tendon of an 8-year-old male Golden Retriever, agility training; sagittal view,
transducer position 2, medial to the carpus (c). The parallel fiber pattern
is uniformly hyperechoic. The tendon is demarcated by a hyperechoic line,
the peritendineum. The surrounding tendon sheath is echogenic with a thin
hypoechoic to anechoic layer (double-headed arrows).
FIG. 5. Ultrasound image of abductor pollicis longus tendinitis, 5-yearold, male Golden Retriever, companion dog; sagittal view, transducer position 2, medial to the carpal bones (c). The tendon fiber pattern is irregular
and more hypoechoic (arrows).
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FIG. 6. Ultrasound image of abductor pollicis longus enthesopathy, 3.9year-old neutered female Collie, companion dog; sagittal view, transducer
position 3, insertion site. The abductor pollicis longus tendon has irregular
fibers and is hypoechoic (arrows) with no clear fiber pattern near its insertion
on the first metacarpal bone (mc I) and a hypoechoic to anechoic area. The
contours of the first metacarpal bone are irregular (arrowheads), the tendon
sheath is thickened (double-headed arrow).
Grade 0
Grade 1
Grade 2
Tendon thickness
Number of tendons
<2.0 mm
2.0 to <2.5 mm
2.5 mm
15
15
7
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Grade 0
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Tendon thickness
<2.0 mm
2.0 to <3.0 mm
3.0 to <4.0 mm
4.0 mm
0
12
17
8
Discussion
Stenosing tenosynovitis or de Quervains disease in people is caused by repetitive movements of the wrist or overuse
of the thumb.18, 19 Besides work-related disorders affecting factory employees, de Quervains tenosynovitis may
also be caused by excessive knitting, rock climbing, playing a musical instrument, or using a computer mouse
or Blackberry.20, 21 The function of the abductor pollicis
longus in dogs is abduction and extension of the first digit
and medial stabilization of the carpus.7 The canine thumb
is a vestigial digit with only minimal movement. The cause
of abductor pollicis longus tenosynovitis in dogs is repetitive motion or overuse of the carpal joint.1 Of the 30 dogs
in this study, seven were involved with agility training and
nine were working dogs. In agility training, repetitive movements of the carpus are caused by quick turns, stops, and
jumping over obstacles. Working dogs, such as hunting,
sled, or military dogs, are also trained in this field. The
amount of exercise in the remaining 14 companion dogs
was not noted.
All dogs with abductor pollicis longus tenosynovitis were
large-breed dogs. In a previous study Boxers and German
Shepherds were overrepresented.5 Neither of these breeds
was present in this study. Eight of the 30 dogs (27%) were
mixed breeds and seven (23%) were Retrievers. Previous
reports on abductor pollicis longus tenosynovitis include a
German Shepherd,2 Golden Retriever,3 and Collie.4
In people, de Quervains tenosynovitis is diagnosed commonly in women.14 This is thought to be due to the smaller
diameter of the female hand, hormonal changes, and repetitive housework.19 In most instances, the dominant hand
is affected. In previous reports on stenosing tenosynovitis of the abductor pollicis longus in dogs, males were
overrepresented.1, 5, 6 We did not find this predominance,
with 16 of 30 dogs being male. A side predilection was also
not observed, and 7 of 30 dogs had bilateral tenosynovitis
of the abductor pollicis longus.
While radiographic changes of de Quervains disease in
people are limited to radiolucent areas in the distal radial
styloid with some soft tissue mineralization,13, 14 stenosing tenosynovitis of the abductor pollicis longus in dogs
was characterized by soft tissue swelling, a deep distal radial groove, bony proliferations along the abductor pollicis
longus tendon sheath, and enthesopathies. These findings
are consistent with those described in previous reports.16, 8
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2012
with tendon as well as tendon sheath thickening. To evaluate the gliding motion of the abductor pollicis longus tendon in the tendon sheath, the first digit can be moved during
the ultrasound examination.
In people, ultrasonography is used to assess changes in
the size of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis
brevis tendons and to identify a septum between the two
tendons.15 The tendons are contained in the first extensor
compartment of the wrist, but are divided by a septum
in some patients. This provides useful information for the
surgical approach to release both tendon sheaths.
In previous histologic studies, abductor pollicis longus
tenosynovitis was not characterized by inflammation, but
rather by accumulation of mucopolysaccharide within the
fibrous tendon sheath in both people and dogs.1, 4, 17 In few
instances, lymphocytes were found within the connective
tissue, but not in the synovial lining. Signs of myxoid degeneration are considered characteristic of de Quervains
disease, which can lead to chondroid or osseous metaplasia
of the tendon sheath in both people and dogs. This condition is therefore not an inflammatory disease, and it has
been postulated that the term stenosing tenosynovitis is a
misnomer.17
Abductor pollicis longus tenosynovitis in human patients
is treated with intrasheath corticosteroid infiltration.25
When this is ineffective, surgical release of the tendons
or compartment reconstruction is performed.26, 27 In dogs,
acute abductor pollicis longus tenosynovitis is treated with
local methylpredinosolone injections medial to the distal
radius and carpus and the area is massaged.1 After immobilization, this treatment should be repeated. In chronic disease, surgical intervention is required with debridement of
the tendon sheath or resection of osteophytes.1, 4 Tenotomy
of the abductor pollicis longus tendon is also performed.1, 3
Complete resection of the first digit was reported in one
case.2 While rupture or resection of the abductor pollicis longus tendon does not impair thumb function in
people,28, 29 tenotomy in one dog leads to instability of the
carpal joint and osteoarthritis.1 It is unknown how much
medial support the abductor pollicis longus tendon provides the carpus and whether osteoarthritis developed from
other causes. Long-term follow-up examinations of dogs
with resected abductor pollicis longus tendons are needed
to prove the effects. Of the 30 dogs in this study, 16 were lost
to follow-up. Two underwent surgery with debridement of
the abductor pollicis longus tendon sheath and resection
of bony proliferations and were free of lameness 2 months
later. The remaining 12 dogs were treated with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methylprednisolone injections and 3 weeks of joint immobilization. Additionally,
the dogs were treated with shock wave therapy. All dogs experienced reduction or disappearance of the firm swelling
medial to the carpus, no pain on flexion of the carpus,
and lameness was not observed. One dog was reexamined
141
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