Comparison of radiography, scintigraphy and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of patellar chondromalacia in a horse, confirmed by arthroscopy

Patellar chondromalacia is rarely reported in the horse. In this study, several noninvasive diagnostic modalities were combined to diagnose patellar chondromalacia in a horse, later confirmed by arthroscopy. Radiography failed to demonstrate pathology; nuclear scintigraphy localised the disease process to the left femoropatellar region; and ultrasonography identified pathological changes within the affected joint. It is possible that this disease is under-reported in the literature due to the difficulty in accurately diagnosing the condition.