Equine Incisor Lesions: Histologic Confirmation of Radiographic, Macroscopic, and Micro-Computed Tomographic Findings

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Incisor diseases are a common problem in equine medicine. However, Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) and other lesions are often only diagnosed in advanced stages. In this study, the incisors of 20 horses were examined. The findings of X-rays, macroscopical inspection, and micro-computed tomography (µCT) were compared. Five categories from healthy to severely affected teeth were formed and selected teeth from each category were additionally examined by means of histology. Odontoclastic resorption of dental hard substances, infiltration of inflammatory cells, areas of irregular dental cementum, and formation of granulation tissue were observed. Resorptive lesions previously detected by µCT were confirmed by microscopical imaging, however, not all resorptive lesions were regarded as a pathological condition like EOTRH. Detailed microscopical inspection revealed the presence of so-called surface resorptions which represent repaired resorptive lesions without any pathological consequence for the horse. Nevertheless, some incisors which appeared healthy on the X-rays featured histological findings related to EOTRH. Therefore, the detection of early incisor lesions in equine medicine remains challenging. ABSTRACT: Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) and other incisor lesions are often diagnosed only in advanced stages. The incisors of 20 horses were examined radiographically, macroscopically, and via micro-computed tomography (µCT) to discriminate EORTH-affected teeth. Five categories from healthy to severely affected teeth were formed and teeth from each category were examined histologically to evaluate the opportunity of earlier radiographic diagnosis. Histologically, odontoclastic resorptive lesions, leukocytic infiltrations, and areas of irregular cementum and granulation tissue were observed. The extent and severity of histological findings were correlated to the µCT data. Micro-CT imaging was suitable to detect subtle irregularities in the dental substances which were referred to as resorptive lesions. Although histological examinations confirmed the presence of resorptive lesions, not all of them were classified as pathological conditions. Instead, repaired surface lesions were documented which were regarded as a physiological condition. Nevertheless, incisors which were radiographically regarded as healthy can also feature histological signs of EOTRH. Therefore, due to the possibility of misinterpreting radiographic findings combined with superimpositions on intraoral radiographs, the detection of early resorptive lesions remains challenging.