What are those mineralization in the feline stifle?

Association of mineralisations in the stifle joint of domestic cats with degenerative joint disease and cranial cruciate ligament pathology

Katja Voss 1, Philemon Karli 2, Pierre M Montavon 3, Hans Geyer 4

Background
Meniscal mineralizations are common radiographic findings in feline stifle joints and are often associated with degenerative joint disease (DJD) and cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) pathology. However, the nature, prevalence, and clinical significance of these mineralizations remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, size, location, and appearance of stifle joint mineralizations in domestic cats, and their association with DJD and CrCL pathology.

Methods
-Study Design: Cross-sectional study involving two groups of cats:
-Clinical Group: 25 cats with CrCL rupture diagnosed via clinical examination, radiographs, and/or surgery.
-Cadaver Group: 44 cat cadavers with no CrCL rupture, subdivided into age-matched and older groups.

Radiographic Analysis:
-Lateral stifle radiographs were used to identify and measure mineralizations.
-Mineralizations were classified by size as small (≤2.25 mm²), medium (2.25–6.25 mm²), or large (≥6.25 mm²).

Histopathology: Ten stifle joints with varying sizes of mineralizations were analyzed for structural and degenerative changes in articular and periarticular tissues.

Results
Prevalence:
-Mineralizations were found in 76% of stifles in the clinical group, 64% in the age-matched cadavers, and 74% in older cadavers.
-Cats with CrCL rupture had a higher prevalence of medium and large mineralizations compared to cadavers.

Radiographic Findings:
-Small mineralizations were confined to the cranial horn of the medial meniscus.
-Medium and large mineralizations were often located in the joint capsule or infrapatellar fat pad, associated with fibrosis and ossification.

Histopathology:
-Small mineralizations were calcifications surrounded by near-normal fibrocartilage.
-Large mineralizations were ossifications with organized cancellous bone and significant periarticular fibrosis.
-Degenerative changes in CrCL and articular cartilage were more pronounced in joints with larger mineralizations.

CrCL Pathology:
-Cats with larger mineralizations showed more severe CrCL degeneration, suggesting that CrCL pathology may precede rupture in some cases.

Limitations
The study’s histopathological analysis was limited to 10 stifle joints, which may not fully represent the general population. The cross-sectional design prevented determination of causal relationships between mineralizations, DJD, and CrCL pathology.

Conclusions
Small mineralizations in feline stifle joints are often incidental findings with minimal degenerative changes. In contrast, larger mineralizations, primarily located in the joint capsule and fat pad, are associated with DJD and CrCL degeneration. These findings suggest that mineralizations, especially larger ones, are part of a degenerative process in feline stifle joints, potentially contributing to CrCL rupture in certain cases.

Disclaimer: The summary generated in this email was created by an AI large language model. Therefore errors may occur. Reading the article is the best way to understand the scholarly work. The figure presented here remains the property of the publisher or author and subject to the applicable copyright agreement. It is reproduced here as an educational work. If you have any questions or concerns about the work presented here, reply to this email.