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Topic:Imaging Techniques
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.
Ultrasound-guided versus blind intercostal nerve injection in equine cadavers. To describe the detailed anatomy of the equine thoracoabdominal region and to compare the accuracy of ultrasound-guided versus blind intercostal nerve injection techniques, targeting the thoracic intercostal nerves (T12-T18) in equine cadavers. Methods: Randomized, blinded, cadaveric study. Methods: Eight fresh adult equine cadavers. Methods: Eight horse cadavers were used: one in phase I (436 kg; 4 years old) for anatomic landmarks identification and seven in phase II [420 (317-560 kg); 16 (3-22 years old) [median (minimum-maximum)] for comparative study. In phase I, dissections were performe...
Intraocular Tumors in Horses: Diagnosis, Tumor Classification, Oncologic Assessment and Therapy. Intraocular neoplasia in horses is rare and only few case reports and small case series exist. Intraocular neoplasia has various clinical signs and includes important differential diagnoses in ocular disease. This narrative review of the current literature aims to provide a clinically relevant overview and classification of intraocular tumors in horses and adds a comparative oncological perspective concerning diagnosis, treatment and future considerations. The available clinical and imaging examination techniques allow for a reliable and differentiated investigation of the tumor, even in the s...
Ultrasonography and shear wave elastography of equine skin: a preliminary study. To noninvasively characterize skin thickness and elasticity in healthy horses using B-mode ultrasound and shear wave elastography (SWE) and to verify whether there are differences between the skin of stabled and outdoor horses. Unassigned: 10 clinically healthy horses were enrolled in this study. Five animals were housed exclusively indoors (indoor group), and 5 had temporary or permanent access to an outdoor environment (outdoor group). All horses underwent bilateral ultrasonographic examination of 3 anatomical regions: neck, withers, and girth region caudal to the elbow. Skin thickness was a...
Plate fixation of small metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures in 27 horses. To present fracture cases selected for plate fixation (PF), describe surgical techniques and assess their association with postoperative complications and return-to-work outcomes in horses undergoing PF for small metacarpal/metatarsal (SMCT) fractures. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study. Methods: A total of 27 horses. Methods: Horses treated with PF of a SMCT fracture between 2008 and 2023 across three hospitals were included. Medical records and imaging were reviewed. Long-term outcomes were established by readmission to the hospital, telephone interviews, and/or race records. Univariab...
The effect of heel elevation on the stiffness gradient index of the digital flexor tendons in the equine forelimb of clinically normal horses. To evaluate the effect of heel elevation on measurement of stiffness gradients by means of acoustoelastography in the digital flexor tendons of clinically normal horses. Unassigned: 15 clinically normal horses. Unassigned: For each horse, stiffness gradient index (SGI) for superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT) and deep digital flexor tendons (DDFT) were evaluated in both forelimbs at 0, 4 and 8 degrees of heel elevation. Acoustoelastography (AEG) was used for data acquisition at three sites, approximately 6, 12, and 18 cm distal to the accessory carpal bone in the metacarpal region. Lif...
Ultrasonographic Assessment of Caudal Vena Cava Collapsibility Index, Caudal Vena Cava-to-Aorta, and Femoral Vein-to-Artery Ratios in Healthy Sedated Adult Horses. (1) Background: Ultrasonography of major vessels helps evaluate fluid status and responsiveness in critical human and canine patients. Aims: transrectal and inguinal ultrasonography of caudal vena cava (CVC), aorta (Ao), and femoral artery (FA) and vein (FV) in horses; calculate CVC collapsibility index (CI CVC) and vein-to-artery ratios; compare B- and M-mode; and evaluate repeatability and reproducibility. (2) Methods: B-mode and M-mode video loops were recorded twice by transrectal (Ao, CVC) and inguinal ultrasonography (FV, FA) by two operators on 17 healthy, sedated adult horses. Diameter...
Evaluation of maturation-related changes in maxillary sinus diameter and cheek teeth positioning relative to the maxillary sinus in the Dareshuri horse. Dareshuri horses are the predominant breed in Fars Province, Iran. Although disorders affecting their maxillary cheek teeth and maxillary sinuses are relatively common, limited fundamental data are available on the dimensions and relationships of these structures at different ages. Given the significant anatomical changes in the heads of young horses as they mature, this study aimed to evaluate age-related changes in the position and anatomical relationships of individual maxillary cheek teeth within the rostral and caudal maxillary sinuses (RMS and CMS, respectively), as well as changes in th...
Assessment of thermal imaging to objectively body condition score mature horses and multiparous gestating beef cows. This study explored whether thermal imaging could provide an objective means of body condition scoring (BCS) horses and multiparous, gestating beef cows. This study consisted of two parts: one part assessed BCS in horses of the Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred breed types while the other evaluated BCS of gestating beef cows. Ground truth BCS were assigned by five to eight trained scorers for each animal. Thermal images were also collected from one or both sides of the body and analyzed for surface temperature. Surface temperature and BCS were evaluated with the whole body, and for five (cows) or ...
Clinical study on the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on healing of proximal sesamoid bone fractures in Yili horses. The incidence of sports injuries in horses is increasing, thus accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment are critical. Among common sports-related injuries, proximal sesamoid bone fractures (PSBFs) are one of the most frequent types. To investigate the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on imaging and hematological parameters of PSBFs, providing a clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of PSBFs in racehorses. After clinical diagnosis and radiographic examination confirmed the disease and its location, the affected horses were randomly divided into two groups: th...
Monte Carlo evaluation of occupational exposures in equine radiology procedures. Portable X-ray equipments are commonly used in diagnostic radiology of equine patients. Despite its benefits, the exposure to ionizing radiation can pose a health risk to workers as physical restraint of patients is typically required. In this context, the aim of this study was to apply Monte Carlo simulation to investigate occupational exposure in the diagnosis of horses. The simulations were carried out by the Monte Carlo N-Particle 6.2 (MCNP6.2) code. The workers were represented by a FASH3 (female) and MASH3 (male) virtual anthropomorphic phantoms. To simulate the horse, a realistic virtua...
Morphometric characteristics of quarter horses in barrel racing events: impacts on performance and competitive success. This study investigated the influence of morphometric characteristics on performance in Quarter Horses competing in barrel racing. Methods: A total of 125 horses were assessed using 28 linear and angular body measurements derived from standardized left-side photographs captured via smartphone and analyzed with open-source software. Results: Measurements were subjected to exploratory factor analysis, extracting six principal components (forequarters, hindquarters, midsection, posterior angles, scapular traits, age and weight), which together explained 83.0 % of the morphological variance. Foreq...
A Markerless Approach for Full-Body Biomechanics of Horses. The ability to quantify equine kinematics is essential for clinical evaluation, research, and performance feedback. However, current methods are challenging to implement. This study presents a motion capture methodology for horses, where three-dimensional, full-body kinematics are calculated without instrumentation on the animal, offering a more scalable and labor-efficient approach when compared with traditional techniques. Kinematic trajectories are calculated from multi-camera video data. First, a neural network identifies skeletal landmarks (markers) in each camera view and the 3D location...
Utility of Infrared Thermography for Monitoring of Surface Temperature Changes During Horses’ Work on Water Treadmill with an Artificial River System. Water treadmill (WT) exercise is used for horses' rehabilitation and training. Given that each training needs to be individualized for each horse, the goal is to assess whether infrared thermography (IRT) can serve as a non-invasive tool for daily monitoring of individual training and rehabilitation progress in horses undergoing WT exercise. Fifteen Polish Warmblood school horses were subjected to five WT sessions: dry treadmill, fetlock-depth water, fetlock-depth water with artificial river (AR), carpal-depth water, and carpal-depth water with AR. IRT images, collected pre- and post-exercise,...
Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes. Most horses are used with horseshoes additionally supported by either dorsoabaxial or dorsal clips. The effects of such clips on bone density and shape of the distal phalanx are currently unclear. The aim of this study was to identify correlations between density and shape of the distal phalanx, comparing front hooves unshod or shod with standard shoes either with two dorsoabaxial clips or with a single dorsal clip. Researchers analyzed Oxspring radiographs of either the left or right front hoof from warmblood horses ( = 137) and ponies ( = 43) aged 3-28 years. The evaluation focused...
Artificial intelligence in smartphone video analysis for equine asthma diagnostic support. Equine asthma is a prevalent respiratory disease that negatively impacts horses' health and athletic performance. Traditional diagnostic methods are invasive and require specialised equipment. There is a need for a non-invasive, cost-effective screening tool that can be used by veterinarians and horse handlers in ambulatory settings. Objective: To assess the willingness of veterinarians and horse handlers to adopt such a tool (Questionnaire 1) and the challenges associated with visually recognising equine asthma (Questionnaire 2) and to develop EquiBreathe, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powe...
Non-contrast enhanced visualization of the equine foot vasculature in a cadaver model using time-of-flight sequence. The objective of this study was to establish a non-contrast enhanced MR angiography (NC-MRA) sequence for the equine foot (EF) using a post-mortem angiography model. Unassigned: Time-of-flight (TOF) sequences were tested using variable parameter settings and 3 slice orientations during vascular perfusion of frozen-thawed cadaver EF with paraffine oil. Transverse and dorsal orientations were planned perpendicular or parallel to the sublamellar vascular plexus at the dorsal aspect of P3, or approximately perpendicular to the coronary plexus. Visibility of the coronary plexus, sublamellar plexus,...
Beyond rodents: The integral role of domestic animals in biomedical research. Annually, around 100 million vertebrate animals are utilized globally in biomedical research, with rodents, specifically mice and rats, being the most commonly used animals in laboratory settings. While rodent models have substantially advanced our understanding of basic biological mechanisms, the translation of these findings often benefits from the use of large animal models, which offer several key advantages for bridging preclinical research to human applications. Thus, domestic animals are increasingly recognized as valuable laboratory animal models to mirror human diseases, assess pharma...
Usefulness of a Computer-Aided Learning Module for Teaching Radiology of the Equine Foot to Clinical Veterinary Students. Lameness in horses resulting from foot pathology is very common. When investigating the cause of a lameness localised to the foot, the first step is most frequently radiographic imaging. Therefore, being able to identify normal anatomy and recognise pathology on radiographs is important for a veterinary medicine student to learn. Computer-aided learning (CAL) is becoming increasingly utilised in the teaching of students on medicine-related courses, especially post-COVID where online learning has been continued in hybridisation with in-person teaching.In this study, a low-cost CAL module was cr...
Measurements of equine foot parameters show limited agreement between radiographs and low-field magnetic resonance imaging. Equine foot radiographs are commonly obtained to measure anatomical conformation parameters. Comparison of measurements between radiographs and low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has not been extensively explored. Objective: To compare foot parameter measurements between radiographs and low-field MRI, and assess the effect of hoof wall markers on visualising the hoof capsule (during MRI) and facilitating measurements. Methods: Comparative cadaveric analytical study. Methods: Radiography and MRI of nine equine cadaver front feet were performed with and without hoof wall markers, which w...
Equine Bone Imaging, Part 1: Establishing an Equine Nuclear Medicine Facility. While the establishment and operation of an equine nuclear medicine department share several principles with those of human nuclear medicine departments, they require an additional skill set to ensure safe and effective operation. This article explores the practical aspects of equine nuclear medicine facility location and design and details important considerations for safe and practical operation. Key considerations associated with the differences in physical and radiation safety and imaging approaches are explored. Specific adaptations of γ-camera gantries to allow either planar imaging or ...
Equine Bone Imaging, Part 2: Role of Nuclear Medicine in Racehorses. The horse racing industry, like any sport, must contend with the effects of injuries on an athlete's performance and longevity. Catastrophic fractures linked to preexisting bone fatigue can be prevented with the use of imaging technology, such as the nuclear medicine bone scan. The accessibility and affordability of imaging for racehorses remain obstacles. The conventional role of bone scintigraphy has evolved with the advent of advanced techniques, including MRI, CT, and PET. Concurrently, SPECT has expanded the role of scintigraphy in the racehorse. This article explores the conventional and...
[Sonographic diagnosis of lingual abscess formation in 2 horses with feeding difficulties]. Feeding disorders in horses may have various underlying causes. A thorough clinical examination of the oral cavity is essential for clarification and is often supplemented by imaging techniques such as oral endoscopy, radiography, and computed tomography (CT) of the head. Sonographic examinations of the head and oral cavity are less commonly described diagnostic methods for the investigation of feeding disorders. This case report describes 2 horses presented to the clinic due to impaired feed intake. In both cases the radiographic examination of the head did not reveal any abnormalities relate...
Analytical Data Review on an Artificial Intelligence Platform for Doping Control in Horse Racing. In the screening of prohibited substances (PS) in horse biological samples with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) for doping control, an enormous number of chromatograms are generated. Reviewing these chromatograms to identify suspicious findings requires an extensive manual effort. Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) enable its use to classify images into different categories. This can potentially be utilized to perform first-line analysis of chromatograms, which are usually displayed as images, by classifying them...
Equine Standing Multidetector Computed Tomography of the Distal Thoracic Limb and Tarsus Has a Lower Cumulative Radiation Dose than Digital Radiography. Recent technological advancements in CT have improved the ability to scan standing sedated horses. However, the impact of radiation exposure on veterinary staff while scanning the extremities of standing horses using this technique, compared with digital radiography (DR), remains unknown. This study compares the radiation exposure of imaging technicians assisting with multidetector CT (MDCT) and DR of the distal thoracic limb and tarsus in standing horses. Personal dose equivalent was measured on four body locations: thyroid gland, gonads, hand, and feet. Images of the distal thoracic limb (n ...
Internal fixation of a fractured cranial articular process of the sixth cervical vertebra by means of computer-assisted surgery in a Warmblood gelding. To describe the repair of a fractured cranial articular process (AP) of the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) with cortex screws placed in lag fashion using computer-assisted surgery. Methods: A 12-year-old Swiss Warmblood gelding. Methods: Case report. Methods: The gelding was presented with neck pain and ataxia after a fall. A fracture of the right cranial AP of C6 was identified on radiographs. The fracture was repaired by internal fixation with two 4.5 mm cortex screws of 58 and 48 mm length placed in lag fashion using computer-assisted surgery. Results: During general anesthesia, it was su...
Complementary Radiographic Projection for Evaluation of the Conchal Sinuses and Bullae in Horses. Radiographic examination of the skull is a well-established and indispensable procedure for the diagnostic evaluation of dental and paranasal sinus disorders in horses. Complementary projections make significant contributions to radiographic diagnosis in nasal conchae disorders. This article describes a complementary radiographic projection designed for the evaluation of the conchal sinuses and bullae in horses. Six equine cadaveric heads were used. Specimens were dissected, and openings were created in the ventral and dorsal nasal conchae for the introduction of radiopaque material. The new r...
Heterogeneity of ultrasonic wave properties in ex vivo cortical bone of racehorse. Despite the prevalence of lower limb disease in racehorses, outdoor bone evaluation equipment is lacking. Consequently, a secure and cost-effective field screening system for bones is required to identify early-stage leg illness. Elastic stiffness cannot be measured using x-ray techniques and is closely associated with bone quality, which is recognized as a significant determinant of fracture risk. Quantitative ultrasound has garnered attention as a viable option, offering insights into elastic stiffness. Understanding the characteristic behaviors of ultrasonic wave properties (velocity, atten...
Accuracy of computer-assisted drilling of equine cervical vertebral bodies using a purpose-built cervical frame-An experimental cadaveric study. To assess the accuracy of computer-assisted surgery (CAS) of equine cervical vertebrae using a purpose-built cervical frame (CF) for neck stabilization. Methods: Experimental cadaveric study. Methods: Six whole fresh equine cadavers. Methods: Cadavers were positioned in dorsal recumbency with the neck extended within the CF. A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based surgical navigation system with optical tracking was used. A ventral approach exposed cervical vertebrae C3-C5. In each cadaver, 12 drill corridors were prepared with the patient tracker on the CF (position CF), followed by 12 c...
Analysis of different techniques for injection of the interspinal space in horses. Impingement of spinous processes (SPs) is commonly diagnosed in the equine athlete. For diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, local injections are performed at the level of the space between adjacent spinous processes in affected horses. Objective: To assess the accuracy of different techniques for the local injection of the interspinal space in the equine thoracolumbar spine. Methods: Ex vivo experimental study. Methods: Equine thoracolumbar spine specimens were used to compare three techniques for needle insertion (midline; bilateral abaxial; unilateral oblique), two needles (20G-1½″; 20G-...
