Radiographic Assessment of Bone Cortex to Bone Diameter Ratio of Radius, Tibia, Metacarpus, Metatarsus and Proximal Phalanx of Fore and Hindlimbs in Minature Donkey

Objective - the aim of this study was to measure the ratio of bone cortex (c) to bone diameter (d), (c/d) in radius/tibia, metacarpus /metatarsus and proximal phalanges in fore and hindlimbs to be used as a diagnostic guide in metabolic and nutritional diseases in minature donkey. design- experimental study animals- eight adult minature donkeys. procedures- lateromedial, dorsopalmar and dorsoplantar radiographs of eight fore and hindlimbs of miniature donkeys were studied. cortical thickness, bone diameter and c/d ratio of mid radius/tibia regions, mid metacarpal/metatarsal regions and mid proximal phalanx of forelimb/ mid proximal phalanx of hindlimb regions were measured. data were analyzed statistically and mean, standard errors and pvalues were obtained. results- c/d ratios of mid radial region, mid metacarpal region and mid proximal phalanx of forelimb in lateromedial view were 0.54 ± 0.02, 0.58±0.02 and 0.54±0.03 respectively. c/d ratios of mid tibia region, mid metatarsal region and mid proximal phalanx of hindlimb in lateromedial view were 0.56±0.01, 0.65±0.02 and 0.54±0.05 respectively. c/d ratios of mid radial, mid metacarpal and mid proximal phalanx regions of forelimb in dorsopalmar view were 0.55±0.03, 0.6±0.01 and 0.55±0.02 respectively. c/d ratios of mid tibia, mid metatarsal and mid proximal phalanx regions of hindlimb in dorsoplantarviews were 0.49±0.02, 0.57±0.02 and 0.55±0.04 respectively. conclusion and clinical relevance- this study showed that there were no significant differences between c/d ratios in any of the regions. the cortex and diameter in lateromedial view between metacarpal – metatarsal regions and cortical thickness of proximal phalanx of forelimb - hindlimb regions showed significant difference (p<0.05).