Introduction

The sesamoid bones of the metacarpophalangeal joints, also known as the palmar sesamoids, are paired sesamoids located on the palmar aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joints.¹ Fragmentation of the palmar sesamoids has been reported in dogs. There is controversy around the pathogenesis of the condition; however, there appears to be two types that have been identified, a degenerative process termed sesamoid disease and a traumatic form, generally seen in racing greyhounds.^2–5 The presence of palmar sesamoid fragmentation may be a cause of lameness; however, it has been reported as an incidental finding in some dogs.⁶

This case study presents the diagnosis and management of a cat with fragmentation of a palmar sesamoid, following an altercation with another cat.

Case description

A 9-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was referred for assessment following a 4-week history of a left forelimb lameness, which occurred following a witnessed bite from another cat in the region of the left manus. Initial examination by the referring veterinary surgeon shortly after the incident identified a small puncture wound on the palmar aspect of the distal metacarpal region. Radiographs were performed of the right and left manus; however, no abnormalities were identified. The lameness was initially managed with a 4-week course of meloxicam (0.05 mg/kg q24h PO) and a one-off injection of cefovecin (8 mg/kg SC), in conjunction with restricted exercise. There was minimal improvement noted over the 4 weeks prior to referral.

On presentation, the cat was bright, alert and responsive, with a severe, intermittently non-weightbearing, left forelimb lameness. A complete orthopaedic examination was not possible owing to the cat’s temperament and discomfort.

An orthopaedic examination was performed once the cat was sedated with dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg IV) and butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg IV), which identified a swelling of the distal aspect of the fourth metacarpal, which was painful on palpation, even under sedation. The remaining orthopaedic examination was unremarkable. Radiographs were taken of the left manus, which were largely unremarkable. A CT scan was performed of right and left distal forelimbs, which identified fragmentation of the medial palmar sesamoid bone of the left fourth digit (Figure 1). Arthrocentesis of the left fourth metacarpophalangeal joint was performed for cytological evaluation, which identified septic inflammation with intracellular cocci.

Figure 1

CT image identifying fragmentation of the medial palmer sesamoid bone of the left fourth digit

Owing to the lack of response to conservative management, surgical removal of the fragmented sesamoid was recommended. The cat was premedicated with dexmedetomidine (3 µg/kg IV) and methadone (0.2 mg/kg IV), and anaesthesia was induced using propofol (2 mg/kg IV) and was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen via an endotracheal tube. A carpal ring block was performed prior to surgery, using bupivacaine (1 mg/kg). A tourniquet was placed prior to surgery. A palmar approach to the palmar sesamoids of the fourth digit was performed as described by Johnson.⁷ A sesamoidectomy was performed, which removed the fragmented sesamoid in its entirety (Figure 2) and the fragments were submitted for culture and histopathology. The metacarpophalangeal joint was identified and flushed with sterile saline. The fascial and subcutaneous tissues were opposed by simple continuous patterns using 1.5 metric poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl; Ethicon). The skin was apposed using simple interrupted sutures using 1.5 metric nylon (Monosof; Covidien). A postoperative CT scan was performed, which confirmed the removal of all of the sesamoid fragments. Postoperatively, a modified Robert Jones dressing was applied to the distal limb. The cat’s recovery from anaesthesia was uneventful. Postoperatively, the cat received buprenorphine (0.02 mg/kg IV q6h for 24 h), meloxicam (0.05 mg/kg q24h PO) and cephalexin (75 mg q12h PO) while the culture results were pending. The cat was discharged 48 h postoperatively.

Figure 2

Photograph of the resected fragmented sesamoid

Culture of fragments isolated Pasteurella species, which was sensitive to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. A 4- week course of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (125 mg q12h PO) was dispensed. Histopathological assessment of the fragments identified osteomyelitis, neutrophilic inflammation and multifocal necrosis.

A follow-up assessment 3 months postoperatively identified no lameness and the cat was reported to have no clinical signs. Examination of the left distal limb identified slightly limited flexion of the fourth metacarpophalangeal joint; however, normal extension of the joint was present.

Discussion

Fragmentation of the palmar sesamoid has been reported to be due to trauma, particularly in racing greyhounds,^4,8 or as a degenerative disease that is reported in young large-breed dogs, termed sesamoid disease.^2,9 However, to our knowledge there are no documented cases of fragmentation of the palmar sesamoid in cats.

The clinical signs observed in this case are consistent with those reported in dogs with fragmentation of the palmar sesamoids, including an acute lameness, effusion of the metacarpophalangeal joint and pain on manipulation of the manus.⁶ In previous studies the diagnosis was based on plain radiography alone.^2,5,9 In this case, radiography was performed prior to referral; however, it failed to identify pathology to the palmar sesamoid and CT was required to confirm the diagnosis. The benefit of CT is that it provides cross-sectional imaging, which facilitates identification of pathology and can aid with surgical planning.¹⁰ To our knowledge, there are no reports documenting the use of CT for assessing this condition in cats or dogs.

There is a reported difference between sesamoid fractures caused by trauma or in cases with sesamoid disease. Traumatic fractures in greyhounds are commonly single transverse fractures, whereas in cases of sesamoid disease, the palmar sesamoid is found in multiple fragments.^2,9 In this case, the palmar sesamoid was found to be in multiple fragments, which is more consistent with sesamoid disease. Taking into account the witnessed trauma, plus the presence of Pasturella species, the most common bacteria isolate from cat bites,¹¹ a degenerative disease was considered unlikely and the cause was presumed to be traumatic.

Arthrocentesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint identified a neutrophilic inflammation with evidence of intracellular bacteria, confirming the presence of septic arthritis, which was in contrast to assessment of synovial fluid assessment in dogs with fragmentation of proximal sesamoid, which has a more mononuclear population consistent with chronic inflammation.⁶ This was likely due to the penetrative nature of a cat bite leading to the introduction of bacteria.

Conservative management is the recommendation in dogs, prior to surgical intervention, as lameness has been reported to resolve in 43% of cases; however, these cases were not known to have associated infections.³ Prior to referral, this case underwent a 4-week period of conservative management, which failed to lead to a significant improvement in the lameness. The conservative management is likely to have failed owing to the concurrent septic arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint. A further period of conservative treatment, including a longer course of empirical antibiotics for the management of the septic arthritis, was considered. However, owing to the combination of the infection and fragmentation, there was a concern regarding potential sequestrum formation. It was therefore deemed more appropriate to explore the area surgically, flush the joint and remove the sesamoid fragments. It is important to be aware that as this is the first documented case of a fragmented palmar sesamoid with concurrent infection in a cat, it is therefore unknown if a successful outcome would have been achieved with appropriate conservative management of the septic arthritis alone.

Histological evaluation of the removed sesamoid identified evidence of osteomyelitis, which has also been documented in humans following penetration into the bone from a cat bite.^12,13 Chronic osteomyelitis can lead to the formation of a sequestrum, a non-healing piece of avascular bone surrounded by necrosis.¹⁴ In small animals the presence of a sequestrum is generally described in relation to complications following surgical stabilisation of a fracture; however, it has been documented in dogs following traumatic injury that did not undergo surgery.^15–17 In the current case, the combination of small bone fragments, osteomyelitis and bacterial infection may have predisposed this cat to the development of a sequestrum if surgical intervention was not pursued.

This case of a fragmented palmar sesamoid following a traumatic incident was successfully managed with complete sesamoidectomy, which led to complete resolution of lameness.

Conclusions

This report documents a case of traumatic fragmentation of the medial palmer sesamoid bone of the fourth digit on the left forelimb, which was successfully managed with a combination of surgical resection of the affected sesamoid, flushing of the metacarpophalangeal joint and medical management for septic arthritis, leading to complete resolution of the lameness.