Imaging techniques in horses encompass a range of diagnostic tools used to visualize the internal structures and systems of equine patients. These techniques assist in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment planning of various conditions affecting horses. Common imaging modalities include radiography (X-rays), ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT). Each technique offers unique advantages in terms of resolution, depth of penetration, and the type of tissues that can be examined. For instance, radiography is frequently used for assessing bone structures, while ultrasonography is often employed for soft tissue evaluation. MRI and CT provide detailed cross-sectional images, aiding in the assessment of complex anatomical regions. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the application, advancements, and comparative efficacy of imaging techniques in equine veterinary medicine.
Fitzharris LE, Meehan LJ, Hezzell MJ, Allen KJ.The diaphragm is an important respiratory muscle, playing a key role during exercise. In humans, diaphragm thickness increases in response to training and is correlated with inspiratory strength. In order to assess respiratory strength in the horse, new evaluation techniques are required and measurement of diaphragm thickness, in a non-invasive and repeatable manner, is a possible approach. The purposes of this four-part, prospective, pilot study were to develop and describe a repeatable method to measure the diaphragm thickness, using ultrasonography, in Thoroughbred racehorses. A standardize...
Corraretti G, Vandeweerd JM, Hontoir F, Vanderperren K, Palmers K. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomy of the nerves supplying the cervical articular process joint and to identify relevant anatomical landmarks that could aid in the ultrasound-guided location and injection of these nerves for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Methods: Twelve cadaveric equine necks were used. Five necks were dissected to study the anatomy of the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of the cervical spinal nerves 3 to 7. Relevant anatomical findings detected during dissections were combined with ultrasonographic images obtained in one other neck. Six additiona...
Boucher S, Arribarat G, Cartiaux B, Lallemand EA, Péran P, Deviers A, Mogicato G.Tractography, a noninvasive technique tracing brain pathways from diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) data, is increasingly being used for brain investigation of domestic mammals. In the equine species, such a technique could be useful to improve our knowledge about structural connectivity or to assess structural changes of white matter tracts potentially associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The goals of the present study were to establish the feasibility of DTI tractography in the equine brain and to provide a morphologic description of the most representative tracts in t...
Berner D, Brehm W, Gerlach K, Offhaus J, Scharner D, Burk J.Signal intensity (SI) of equine tendinopathies in MRI differs between the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). In DDFT lesions, short tau inversion recovery (STIR) SI decreases earlier than T2-weighted (T2w) SI, while the latter decreases earlier in SDFT lesions, but long-term results using STIR sequences are lacking. Methods: Standing MRI of eight horses with naturally occurring SDFT lesions was performed at the day of treatment as well as 2, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Results: After 12 months, six horses were sound and showed complete reso...
Dubuc V, Laverty S, Richard H, Doré M, Theoret C.There is a growing interest in the scientific community to use computer-based software programs for the quantification of cells during physiological and pathophysiological processes. Drawbacks of computer-based methods currently used to quantify immunohistochemical staining are the complexity of use, expense of software and overly-simplified descriptions of protocol thereby limiting reproducibility. The precise role of mast cells in equine cutaneous wound healing is unknown. Given the contribution of mast cells to the chronic inflammation observed in human keloid, a pathology similar to exuber...
Marr N, Hopkinson M, Hibbert AP, Pitsillides AA, Thorpe CT.Three-dimensional imaging modalities for optically dense connective tissues such as tendons are limited and typically have a single imaging methodological endpoint. Here, we have developed a bimodal procedure utilising fluorescence-based confocal microscopy and x-ray micro-computed tomography for the imaging of adult tendons to visualise and analyse extracellular sub-structure and cellular composition in small and large animal species. Results: Using fluorescent immunolabelling and optical clearing, we visualised the expression of the novel cross-species marker of tendon basement membrane, lam...
Huguet EE, Porter EG, Chapman KA, Saunders FC, Davis B, Berry CR.The radiographic anatomy of the equine distal tibia is complex and is not widely described in the current literature. Superimposition and radiographic similarities between the different osseous structures of the equine distal tibia can make it difficult for anatomic localization of pathology. The purpose of this prospective, descriptive, anatomic study was to detail the normal anatomy of the equine distal tibia using routine radiographic projections and CT of the equine tarsus. Radiographic identification of the different osseous protuberances of the distal tibia on three cadaveric limbs was a...
Kajabi AW, Casula V, Sarin JK, Ketola JH, Nykänen O, Te Moller NCR, Mancini IAD, Visser J, Brommer H, René van Weeren P, Malda J, Töyräs J....Chondral lesions lead to degenerative changes in the surrounding cartilage tissue, increasing the risk of developing post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) for evaluation of articular cartilage in PTOA. Articular explants containing surgically induced and repaired chondral lesions were obtained from the stifle joints of seven Shetland ponies (14 samples). Three age-matched nonoperated ponies served as controls (six samples). The samples were imaged at 9.4 T. The measured qMRI parameters included ...
Becsek A, Schweizer A, Knutti B, Bollwein H.The aim of this study was to compare transrectal two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound examination with regards to required time and accuracy of fetal sex determination in early pregnant mares. Methods: For this purpose 47 mares were examined transrectally once between days 58 and 115 of gestation. Initially, the fetal sex was determined by identifying the location of the genital tubercle (GT) or external genitalia using 2D-ultrasound. Subsequently, the ultrasound machine was switched to 3D-mode to obtain images for later computer-based evaluation. Results: The gestational...
Brinkhof S, Te Moller N, Froeling M, Brommer H, van Weeren R, Ito K, Klomp D.T2* mapping is promising for the evaluation of articular cartilage collagen. In this work, a groove model in a large animal is used as a model for posttraumatic arthritis. We hypothesized that T2* mapping could be employed to differentiate between healthy and (subtly) damaged cartilage. Eight carpal joints were obtained from four adult Shetland ponies that had been included in the groove study. In this model, grooves were surgically created on the proximal articular surface of the intermediate carpal bone (radiocarpal joint) and the radial facet of the third carpal bone (middle carpal joint) b...
Steinmann M, Bezugley RJ, Bond SL, Pomrantz JS, Léguillette R.Capsule endoscopy offers a new method for visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa in horses where other imaging technologies have diagnostic limitations. Objective: To (1) test the feasibility of using this novel endoscopy capsule to visualize intestinal mucosa in horses, including an objective assessment of image quality, (2) assess how changes in preadministration preparation affect the transit time and the amount of gastrointestinal mucosa visualized, and (3) describe intestinal mucosa lesions in healthy horses. Methods: Five healthy adult horses. Methods: Three protocols were used in ...
Gardner AK, Santschi EM, Mudge MC, Belknap JK, Metzler AG.To describe the repair of unstable facial fractures by using Foley catheter balloons as intrasinus bolsters. Methods: Case report ANIMALS: Two weanling foals with unilateral fractures of the sinus and orbit secondary to kick injuries. Preoperative imaging that included positive contrast dacrocystorhinography and computed tomography confirmed severe comminution of facial fractures and nasolacrimal duct disruption in both foals. Methods: Small bone fragments were surgically removed, and large fragments were retained even when denuded of periosteum. Repair procedures included nasolacrimal canalic...
Cantatore F, Marcatili M, Pagliara E, Bertuglia A, Withers J. This article evaluates and compares the diffusion pattern of radiopaque contrast medium following perineural analgesia of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve performed using two different techniques: weight-bearing or flexed. Methods: This was an experimental study. Methods: Eight horses were enrolled. Perineural injection of the right and left deep branch lateral plantar nerves was performed with a weight-bearing or flexed technique, using radiopaque contrast medium (iohexol). Radiographic evaluation was performed after 5 (T5), 15 (T15) and 30 (T30) minutes. The diffusion o...
Valberg SJ, Borer Matsui AK, Firshman AM, Bookbinder L, Katzman SA, Finno CJ.Although muscle mass strongly influences performance, there is currently no effective means to measure the 3-dimensional muscle mass of horses. We evaluated a 3-dimensional (3D) scanning methodology for its ability to quantify torso and hindquarter volumes as a proxy for regional muscle mass in horses. Determine the repeatability of 3D scanning volume (V) measurements and their correlation to body weight, estimated body volume and muscle/fat ultrasound (US) depth. Handheld 3D photonic scans were performed on 16 Quarter Horses of known body weight 56 days apart (n = 32 scans) with each scan per...
Touzot-Jourde G, Geffroy O, Tallaj A, Gauthier O, Denoix JM. To describe the feasibility and dye diffusion of selective perineural injection of the 7 and 8th cervical nerve (C7 and C8) under ultrasonographic guidance in horses. Prospective experimental pilot cadaver study. Four equine cadavers of similar body weight (420-480 kg) and neck conformation. Five C7 and five C8 were perineurally injected with a dye solution. Anatomic dissections including vertebral canal opening were conducted to confirm nerve dye staining and describe the extent of color diffusion. The of the spinal cervical nerves was visualized in all cadavers. All the injections we...
Secombe C, Waldmann AD, Hosgood G, Mosing M.Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) generates thoracic impedance images of the lungs and has been used to assess ventilation in horses. This technique may have application in the detection of changes in airflow associated with equine asthma. Objective: The objective was to determine if histamine-induced airflow changes observed with flowmetric plethysmography (Δflow) could also be explained using global and regional respiratory gas flow signals calculated from EIT signals. Methods: Experimental in vivo study. Methods: Six horses, sedated using detomidine were fitted with a thoracic EIT b...
Satoh M, Higuchi T, Inoue S, Miyakoshi D, Kajihara A, Gotoh T, Shimizu Y.Recent studies have assessed the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscle (CAD) using transoesophageal ultrasonography in equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). We assessed the CAD using the external transcutaneous ultrasound technique, which may constitute an easier method in horses. Objective: To evaluate ultrasonographic imaging of the left cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscle (LCAD) and right cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscle (RCAD) as a diagnostic tool for RLN using the transcutaneous ultrasound technique. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The axial plane thickness, cross-sectional are...
Kadic LIM, Rodgerson DH, Newsom LE, Spirito MA.Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia (DIRT) is commonly identified on either the lateral to medial (LM) or dorso45°medial-plantarolateral oblique (D45M-PLO) projection of the tarsus. This manuscript describes a retrospective case series out of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, for which medical records and radiographic projections of the tarsus were reviewed, consistent with Keeneland's repository requirements. This original investigation identified seven yearling Thoroughbred horses between 2008 and 2018 with radiographic signs of atypical osteochondr...
van Zadelhoff C, Schwarz T, Smith S, Engerand A, Taylor S. To describe detectable and non-detectable naturally occurring cartilage damage of the equine distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint using plain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and gadolinium and saline MR arthrography. The second objective was to quantify the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in detection of cartilage damage. In a pilot study, the distal limbs of two horses with confirmed osteoarthritis of the DIP joint were imaged with low-field MR. Magnetic resonance images were assessed in consensus by three observers and compared to gross pathological findings. Subsequently, a prospectiv...
Prochno HC, Barussi FM, Bastos FZ, Weber SH, Bechara GH, Rehan IF, Michelotto PV.Infrared thermography has been used to help in diagnosing lameness. It is hypothesized that, if used in a routine basis, it could help in understanding musculoskeletal modifications during race training. This study aimed to evaluate thermal variation in the musculoskeletal regions of young Thoroughbred (TB) horses during their initial months of race training. Thermographic examinations were performed once every 2 weeks on 16 (10 male, 6 female) two-year-old TB racehorses, from arrival to the racetrack in June 2016, until January 2017, for a total of 16 evaluations. Thermographic imaging was pe...
Du H, Yousefian O, Horn T, Muller M.The mode-converted (longitudinal to transverse, L-T) ultrasonic scattering method was utilized to characterize the structural anisotropy of a phantom mimicking the structural properties of trabecular bone. The sample was fabricated using metal additive manufacturing from high-resolution computed tomography (CT) images of a sample of trabecular horse bone with strong anisotropy. Two focused transducers were used to perform the L-T ultrasonic measurements. A normal incidence transducer was used to transmit longitudinal ultrasonic waves into the sample, while the scattered transverse signals were...
Nieto-Olmedo P, Martín-Cano FE, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Peña FJ, Ortega-Ferrusola C.In order to determine whether differences in uterine blood flow between pregnant and non-pregnant mares can be used to predict the presence of the equine embryo prior to flushing in an embryo transfer program, power Doppler ultrasonography was used on a total of 52 mares on days 7 or 8 post-ovulation. Computer analysis of Doppler images was subsequently performed using ImageJ v1.48 software. Vascular perfusion of the endometrium was analyzed using spot meter techniques, measuring mean pixel intensity and area of blood flow. Mares with positive flushings presented a higher uterine blood flow ar...
Norvall A, Cota JG, Pusterla N, Cissell D.Equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are increasingly recognized as a problem for the well-being and performance of horses. Diagnosis is confounded by overlap of clinical signs associated with pathology of the oral cavity, poll, and cervical vertebrae. Arthrocentesis for intra-articular analgesia, sampling of synovial fluid, and medication is needed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Ultrasound features of the normal TMJ and a blind arthrocentesis technique have been described, but a systematic approach to ultrasound-guided (USG) arthrocentesis has not been reported. Ultrasound ...
El-Gendy SAA, Alsafy MAM, Rutland CS, El-Khamary AN, Abu-Ahmed HM, El-Kammar MH.The donkey is of socio-economic value yet imaging techniques in both healthy and abnormal limbs are a limiting factor in research and medicine. The objective was to determine anatomical features of both healthy and clinically abnormal donkey metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints (n = 13) using anatomical dissection, casting, X-ray and computed tomography. The joint capsule contained two palmar/plantar and two dorsal recesses. The proximal-palmar or plantar recess was larger than the distodorsal recess and potential sites of approaches to the recesses were determined. Soft tissue ...
Siwinska N, Zak A, Slowikowska M, Krupinska P, Niedzwiedz A.Asthma is one of the most common non-infectious respiratory diseases in horses. Ultrasound examination is a widely available non-invasive additional diagnostic tool. To date, there are no studies focusing on ultrasonographic findings in horses with asthma. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence and severity of ultrasound lesions in lung tissue in horses with asthma. Lung ultrasonography was carried out on six healthy horses (controls) and 12 horses with asthma (six with mild and six with severe asthma). The sonographic changes in three lung sections were assessed using a scoring s...
Horstmeier C, Ahrberg AB, Berner D, Burk J, Gittel C, Hillmann A, Offhaus J, Brehm W.The magic angle effect increases the MRI signal of healthy tendon tissue and could be used for more detailed evaluation of tendon structure. Furthermore, it could support the discrimination of hypointense artefacts induced by contrast agents such as superparamagnetic iron oxide used for cell tracking. However, magic angle MRI of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon has not been accomplished in vivo in standing low-field MRI so far. The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the practicability of this magic angle technique and its benefit for tracking superparamagnetic iron oxide-lab...
Pollaris E, Staszyk C, Proost K, Boone MN, Josipovic I, Pardon B, Vlaminck L.Fissures on the occlusal surface of equine cheek teeth are commonly encountered during oral examination. Generally, their presence is considered abnormal but their aetiopathogenesis and clinical impact on pulp disease is still undetermined. The aims of this research were to study the extent of occlusal cheek teeth fissures using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (μCT) imaging and their histological characteristics. Twenty-seven teeth (of 15 horses) were scanned using μCT imaging to analyse fissure extent. Histological examination of a subset of teeth (n=7) was performed. Forty-three ...
Davies T, Skelly C, Puggioni A, D'Helft C, Connolly S, Hoey S.Multiple published studies involving computed tomographic (CT) examinations of the equine head utilise a wide range of mAs parameters for image acquisition. This prospective, experimental study assessed the effects of lowering mAs during CT image acquisition on image quality and scatter radiation on 10 cadaver equine heads. Each head was scanned three times at 300, 225, and 150 mAs, with all other scanning parameters remaining constant between series. An anthropomorphic phantom was positioned adjacent to each equine head during image acquisition, mimicking a human bystander, with an ionizatio...
Recent advances in tendinopathy research have focused on tendon vascularization detected with Color Doppler (CD) ultrasound. The use of CD has also been described in horses in a study on chronic lesions of superficial digital flexor tendon and suspensory ligament. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and distribution of power Doppler (PD) signal in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinopathy. Twenty-five horses with tendinopathy were included and 10 healthy horses with no lameness and no ultrasonographic abnormalities were used for comparison. In all horses with tend...
Rottensteiner U, Palm F, Kofler J.The purpose of this study was to map the coxofemoral region in foals to obtain ultrasonographic reference values for the interpretation of potentially pathological findings in hip joints. Using a 7.5 MHz linear transducer, 38 examinations were carried out: 10 (20 joints) on cadavers and 28 (55 joints) on live healthy foals up to 8 weeks of age. The chosen plane of examination was caudolateral-craniomedial oblique on an imaginary line connecting the greater trochanter and the cranial edge of the tuber sacrale. The relatively thin muscular layer covering the coxofemoral joint allowed good image ...
Brown KA, Davidson EJ, Johnson AL, Stefanovski D, Wulster KB, Ortved K.Caudal cervical articular process joint osteoarthritis (CAPJ OA) leads to career-altering clinical signs in the horse. Oblique radiographs and standing cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) facilitate the assessment of this area, however, the variability of interpretation of these images is currently unknown. This retrospective, secondary analysis, methods comparison study investigated interobserver agreement between clinicians and modality in grades of CAPJ OA on lateral and oblique radiographs and CBCT. We hypothesized that agreement between clinicians' grades of CAPJ OA would be lowest for o...
Abutarbush SM.To describe the use of ultrasonography to diagnose large colon volvulus (LCV) in horses. Methods: Descriptive report. Methods: 4 horses with clinical signs of abdominal pain. Methods: Each horse was administered analgesic agents for pain control and placed in stocks. Ultrasonographic evaluations were performed with a 3.5-MHz sector scanning transducer that was placed parallel to the long axis of the horse (longitudinal imaging) over an area of the left ventral aspect of the abdomen. The boundaries of the evaluated region included the ventral midline, 2 vertical lines at the level of the left 1...
Kotoyori Y, Yokoo N, Ito K, Murase H, Sato F, Korosue K, Nambo Y.The objective was to assess the optimal procedure for real-time, three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) imaging for assessing the equine fetus during the first half of gestation and the possibility of using 3D US imaging of the equine fetus in clinical applications. Seventeen pregnant mares were examined by 3D US between Days 35 and 180 of gestation. Abdominal and endo-vaginal real-time 3D transducers used in human medicine were used for transrectal and transvaginal examinations, respectively. Images were recorded by both 3D stationary and real-time movies. In a comparison of four methods, tra...
Widmer WR, Buckwalter KA, Fessler JF, Hill MA, VanSickle DC, Ivancevich S.Radiographic evaluation of navicular syndrome is problematic because of its inconsistent correlation with clinical signs. Scintigraphy often yields false positive and false negative results and diagnostic ultrasound is of limited value. Therefore, we assessed the use of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in a horse with clinical and radiographic signs of navicular syndrome. Cadaver specimens were examined with spiral computed tomographic and high-field magnetic resonance scanners and images were correlated with pathologic findings. Radiographic changes consisted of bony remodel...
Domino M, Borowska M, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Sikorska U, Skibniewski M, Maśko M.As obesity is a serious problem in the human population, overloading of the horse's thoracolumbar region often affects sport and school horses. The advances in using infrared thermography (IRT) to assess the horse's back overload will shortly integrate the IRT-based rider-horse fit into everyday equine practice. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of entropy measures to select the most informative measures and color components, and the accuracy of rider:horse bodyweight ratio detection. Twelve horses were ridden by each of the six riders assigned to the light, moderate, and heavy gr...
Firth EC, Rogers CW, Jopson N.The response of equine bone to training has not been quantified in racetrack trained horses, only in treadmill exercised horses. Seven two-year-old thoroughbred fillies were trained on sand and grass at a racetrack, in a typical New Zealand flatrace training regime. The horses were exercised 6 days per week for up to 13 weeks. During the day the horses were confined in 4 x 4m sand yards, and were stalled at night. Another 7 fillies of the same age were allowed free exercise in grass yards. The bones of the animals were available after the 13 week experimental period, and were examined using a ...
Doube M, Firth EC, Boyde A.Combined backscattered electron scanning electron microscopy (BSE SEM) and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) have been used to put tissue mineralization data into the context of soft tissue histology and fluorescent label information. Mineralization density (Dm) and linear accretion rate (LAR) are quantifiable parameters associated with mineralizing fronts within calcified tissues. Quantitative BSE (qBSE) may be used to determine Dm, while CSLM may be used to detect label fluorescence from which LAR is calculated. Eighteen-month old Thoroughbred horses received single calcein injection...
Easley JT, Freeman DE.The diagnosis and treatment of equine dental-related sinus disease is often challenging. Dental-related sinus disease is common and knowledge of these diseases is becoming increasingly important in veterinary medicine. Diagnostic capabilities are continually improving, leading to early diagnostic and therapeutic successes. With advanced imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, understanding of the intimate anatomic relationship between teeth and the paranasal sinuses continues to progress. There are many therapeutic options available for the treatment of ...
Tomlinson JE, Redding WR, Berry C, Smallwood JE.The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed computed tomographic (CT) anatomic reference for the equine tarsus. CT examinations of the tarsal regions from four clinically and radiographically normal adult horses, which were euthanized for reasons not related to musculoskeletal disease, were included in the study. Limbs were removed at the level of midtibia, and 3-mm contiguous transverse CT images were obtained, starting at a level proximal to the tuber calcanei and continuing distally into the proximal metatarsus. Soft tissue and bone windows were used to image different anatomic feat...
Stack JD, Bergamino C, Sanders R, Fogarty U, Puggioni A, Kearney C, David F.To compare the accuracy and distribution of injectate for cranial (CR) and caudomedial (CM) ultrasound-guided injections of equine sacroiliac joints. Methods: Both sacroiliac joints from 10 lumbosacropelvic specimens were injected using cranial parasagittal (CR; curved 18 gauge, 25 cm spinal needles) and caudomedial (CM; straight 18 gauge, 15 cm spinal needles) ultrasound-guided approaches. Injectate consisted of 4 ml iodinated contrast and 2 ml methylene blue. Computed tomographical (CT) scans were performed before and after injections. Time for needle guidance and repositioning attempts were...
Cousty M, Firidolfi C, Geffroy O, David F.To compare ultrasound-guided lateral and medial approaches for periarticular injections of the thoracolumbar intervertebral facet joints (IFJ). Methods: Experimental cadaveric study. Methods: Adult equine cadavers (n=4). Methods: IFJ (T12-T13 to L5-L6) were identified by ultrasound (transducer perpendicular to the spine axis) and insertion of a 13 cm, 18 g spinal needle monitored until bone contact using medial (right side) and lateral (left side) approaches. Number of needle insertions at each site, needle repositioning, and insertion depth were recorded. On bone contact 2 mL latex was ...
Busoni V, Denoix JM.The purpose of this paper is to describe the technique for ultrasonographic examination of the podotrochlear apparatus in the horse using a transcuneal approach. In this study, ultrasound scans were performed in 3 normal cadaver limbs and 5 sound horses and images were compared to anatomic sections to establish the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of the podotrochlear apparatus. Detailed description of transverse and sagittal reference ultrasonographic images of this region is provided. This new imaging technique allows the assessment of the distal sesamoid bone flexor surface, the distal porti...
Crijns CP, Martens A, Bergman HJ, van der Veen H, Duchateau L, van Bree HJ, Gielen IM.Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly accessible in equine referral hospitals. Objective: To document the level of agreement within and between radiography and CT in characterising equine distal limb fractures. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study. Methods: Images from horses that underwent radiographic and CT evaluation for suspected distal limb fractures were reviewed, including 27 horses and 3 negative controls. Using Cohen's kappa and weighted kappa analysis, the level of agreement among 4 observers for a predefined set of diagnostic characteristics for radiography and CT separately...
Zaha C, Schuszler L, Dascalu R, Nistor P, Florea T, Imre K, Rujescu C, Sicoe B, Igna C.Horses with palmar foot pain do not show a typical increase in temperature in the palmar aspect of the hoof and heel due to low blood flow. The objectives of the current study were to determine the changes and differences in the thermographic pattern of the sole surface in horses with unilateral palmar foot pain and non-lame horses before and after training. We hypothesized that the thermal pattern and the local temperature of the frog area and toe area would be similar, with an increased local temperature after training in both lame and non-lame horses. A pilot study was conducted to investig...
Liley H, Zhang J, Firth EC, Fernandez JW, Besier TF.The objective of this study was to describe the three-dimensional shape and subchondral bone mineral density (BMD) variation of the equine distal third metacarpal bone (MC3) using a statistical shape model. The association between form and function builds upon previous two-dimensional observations of MC3 epiphyseal structure. It was expected that the main source of variation would be an increase in overall MC3 bone size, correlated to an increase in subchondral BMD. Geometry and bone mineral density was obtained from CT image data of 40 healthy Thoroughbred horses. This was used to create a st...
Barakzai S, Tremaine H, Dixon P.To describe and analyze subjective and objective scintigraphic findings in horses with paranasal sinus disorders. Methods: Horses with suspected disorders of the paranasal sinuses or cheek teeth (n = 48) and control horses (n = 30). Methods: 99Technetium-methylenediphosphate (99Tc-MDP; 7500 MBq) was administered for scintigraphic examination of the skull. Abnormal patterns of increased radionuclide uptake (IRU) were identified and subjectively described. Scintigrams and radiographs were blindly assessed by 2 clinicians and the accuracy of the imaging modalities was compared. Objective analysis...
Pye J, Spriet M, O'Brion J, Carpenter R, Blea JA, Dowd JP.To assess the repeatability of equine 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) findings, and to evaluate the ability of PET to monitor the progression of areas of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU) in the fetlocks of Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 25 racehorses with clinical signs related to fetlock injuries. Methods: This study is a prospective, longitudinal clinical study. Twenty-five racehorses (54 fetlocks) underwent three 18F-NaF PET scans 6 weeks apart. The first 18F-NaF PET scan was performed at the start of a 12-week period of rest from racing (lay-up...
Herren FL, Gerber V, Meier R, Schweizer-Gorgas D, Klopfenstein Bregger MD.The volumes of equine teeth may change considerably over time for several reasons including domestication, routine dental floating, and the hypsodont and anelodont nature of the teeth. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of the head is routinely performed in standing horses and, in this proof of concept study, the feasibility of measuring tooth volume from CBCT datasets was determined. The CBCT images of 5 equine cadaver cheek teeth were segmented with a software 3-dimensional (3D) Slicer using a predefined protocol, corrected manually, and re-assembled into a 3D model. Individual tooth volum...
Norvall A, Cota JG, Pusterla N, Cissell D.Equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are increasingly recognized as a problem for the well-being and performance of horses. Diagnosis is confounded by overlap of clinical signs associated with pathology of the oral cavity, poll, and cervical vertebrae. Arthrocentesis for intra-articular analgesia, sampling of synovial fluid, and medication is needed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Ultrasound features of the normal TMJ and a blind arthrocentesis technique have been described, but a systematic approach to ultrasound-guided (USG) arthrocentesis has not been reported. Ultrasound ...
Schliewert EC, Lascola KM, O'Brien RT, Clark-Price SC, Wilkins PA, Foreman JH, Mitchell MA, Hartman SK, Kline KH.To compare CT and radiographic images of the lungs in sedated healthy foals positioned in sternal recumbency and to investigate whether a relationship exists between CT-derived measurements of lung attenuation and Paco2 and Pao2. Methods: 6 healthy Standardbred foals < 14 days of age. Methods: Thoracic CT images were acquired followed by radiographic views with each foal sedated and positioned in sternal recumbency. For each foal, both CT and radiographic images were evaluated for severity and extent of changes by lung regions on the basis of a subjective scoring system by 3 investigators. ...
Kersten AA, Edinger J.Little information exists about the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the equine sacroiliac region, but knowledge of the ultrasonographic anatomy is necessary to understand the possible pathological changes in sacroiliac diseases. Objective: The normal ultrasonographic appearance of soft tissues and bony structures of the sacroiliac region in horses was studied in order to establish clinically relevant reference parameters. Methods: Thirteen cadaver specimens were examined using a transcutaneous approach above the tubera sacrale to image the dorsal sacroiliac ligament and the tendon of the...
Barthez PY, Bais RJ, Vernooij JC.The purpose of this study was to determine if variation in the ultrasound beam angle would affect cartilage thickness measurement performed with B-mode ultrasonography. Transverse sections of six fresh equine middle phalanges were obtained from necropsy. Ultrasonographic images of the proximal articular cartilage were obtained in a water bath, in a plane parallel and adjacent to the section plane using a 5-10 MHz linear transducer. Static images were acquired for all six bone specimens with an ultrasound beam angle of 0 degree, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees. Proximal articular cartila...
Ruohoniemi M, Kärkkäinen M, Tervahartiala P.Six Finnhorse cadaver forefeet were selected to represent radiographically different types and grades of ossification of the collateral cartilages of the distal phalanx. These cartilages and adjacent tissues were evaluated with computed tomography (CT) and high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In CT the internal structure of the cartilages was consistent, but in MRI some differences were noted. The shape of the collateral cartilages and their ligamentous attachments varied. The border between ossified and non-ossified cartilage appeared distinct, with considerable variation in the exten...
Barton AK, Schulze T, Doherr MG, Gehlen H.Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and thoracic radiography are routinely performed diagnostic procedures. We hypothesized that BAL increases the interstitial opacity of caudoventral and caudodorsal thoracic radiographs. Fifty-three horses, including 8 clinic owned and 45 from a referral hospital population, were classified as healthy controls (n = 12), severe equine asthma (recurrent airway obstruction, n = 12) or mild-to-moderate equine asthma (inflammatory airway disease, n = 21) based on the results of a clinical scoring system. Eight were excluded due to different diagnoses and poor image quali...
Siwinska N, Zak A, Slowikowska M, Krupinska P, Niedzwiedz A.Asthma is one of the most common non-infectious respiratory diseases in horses. Ultrasound examination is a widely available non-invasive additional diagnostic tool. To date, there are no studies focusing on ultrasonographic findings in horses with asthma. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence and severity of ultrasound lesions in lung tissue in horses with asthma. Lung ultrasonography was carried out on six healthy horses (controls) and 12 horses with asthma (six with mild and six with severe asthma). The sonographic changes in three lung sections were assessed using a scoring s...
Cribb NC, Arroyo LG.Diagnostic ultrasonography has been used as a test to determine the presence or absence of gastrointestinal disease in horses and foals. General techniques and anatomic landmarks are reviewed. Many clinical reports that have included diagnostic ultrasound as part of their diagnostic process and accuracy studies are necessary to determine the usefulness of diagnostic ultrasound in clinical practice.
Puhakka PH, Te Moller NCR, Afara IO, Mäkelä JTA, Tiitu V, Korhonen RK, Brommer H, Virén T, Jurvelin JS, Töyräs J.The aim was to investigate the applicability of multivariate analysis of optical coherence tomography (OCT) information for determining structural integrity, composition and mechanical properties of articular cartilage. Methods: Equine osteochondral samples (N = 65) were imaged with OCT, and their total attenuation and backscattering coefficients (μt and μb) were measured. Subsequently, the Mankin score, optical density (OD) describing the fixed charge density, light absorbance in amide I region (Aamide), collagen orientation, permeability, fibril network modulus (Ef) and non-fibrillar mat...
Tucker R, Windley ZE, Abernethy AD, Witte TH, Fiske-Jackson AR, Turner S, Smith LJ, Perkins JD.Knowledge of imaging anatomy, surgical anatomy and disorders affecting the sphenopalatine sinus are currently lacking. Objective: To describe the computed tomographic (CT) and surgical anatomy of the sphenopalatine sinus and diagnosis, treatment and outcome in clinical cases with sphenopalatine sinus disease. Methods: Cadaver observational study and retrospective case series. Methods: The sphenopalatine sinuses of 10 normal cadaver heads were examined with digital radiography, CT and sinoscopic examination prior to anatomical sectioning. Sphenopalatine sinus anatomy was described and compared ...
de Preux M, Precht C, Travaglini AT, Propadalo LM, Farra D, Vidondo B, Easley JT, Koch C.To determine the effect of the Vertek aiming device (VAD) on the surgical accuracy of navigated drilling of the distal sesamoid bone (DSB). Methods: Experimental cadaveric study. Methods: A total of 30 paired equine cadaveric limbs from 15 horses. Methods: Each specimen was placed in a purpose-built frame (PBF). Preoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were acquired with an imaging unit coupled with a surgical navigation system. In the DSB of each specimen, a 4.5 mm glide hole and a 3.2 mm thread hole were drilled under navigation guidance, to simulate drilling for the repa...
